119 Pakistanis rescued by PNS Aslat reach Lahore

LAHORE: 119 Pakistani nationals, who were earlier brought to Karachi by Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Aslat from Yemen, landed here at Allama Iqbal International airport in the early hours of Wednesday.

Out of 119 repatriated Pakistanis, 62 belong to Lahore while 57 hail from Islamabad.

Speaking to Geo News, one passenger thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his government’s efforts in bringing back Pakistanis stranded in the war-torn Middle East country. The passengers also thanked the national carrier and the Pakistan embassy in Yemen.

He said some Pakistanis decided to stay in Yemen despite adverse atmosphere due to the ongoing war. He also expressed his desire of going back to the Arab country once the war was over.

Athar Hasan, a spokesman for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) said that 57 passengers will now depart for Islamabad.

The passengers chanted “Pakistan zindabad” (Long live Pakistan) slogans on landing at the Lahore airport.




Earlier on Tuesday, 146 Pakistanis along with 36 foreigners arrived at the Karachi port in PNS Aslat that had sailed from Al-Mukallah on April 4.

Read: PNS Aslat with 146 Pakistanis from Yemen arrives in Karachi

The foreigners include 11 Indians, eight Chinese nationals, five from Philippines, four from the UK, two each from Indonesia and Syria, and one national each from Canada, Egypt, Jordan and UAE.

Indian High Commissioner also thanked the Pakistan Navy for safely evacuating Indian citizens from Mukallah.