318 Pakistanis stranded in Syria return home

ISLAMABAD A special chartered plane carrying 318 Pakistanis — who were stranded in Syria due to the evolving situation and later reached Lebaanon — flew to Islamabad International Airport (IIA) on Thursday.

Pakistan’s ambassador saw off the Pakistani citizens at Beirut airport, and the plane arrived at Islamabad airport in the early hours of December 13, a news release said.

The evacuation of Pakistani citizens via Beirut was made possible by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s tireless efforts, which included daily review meetings for the evacuation of Pakistanis stranded in Syria. The PM also spoke with the prime minister of Lebanon to facilitate the evacuation. Upon arrival in Pakistan, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal, along with representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), welcomed the returning Pakistani citizens. A special desk was set up by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis to facilitate the citizens, and refreshments were arranged for the passengers.