Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday ordered two Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to evacuate stranded Pakistanis from Yemen.
According to unofficial estimates, 560 Pakistanis are stranded in the besieged Yemeni capital of Sanaa. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry officials say around 2,145 Pakistanis are currently living in Yemen.
Earlier, the Foreign Office said every effort is being made for the safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Yemen, as the second day of Saudi-led airstrikes in the area continues.
Taking to Twitter, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said evacuation of Pakistani citizens is a priority but airports in Yemen are closed and the ground routes are not safe. However, all possibilities are being reviewed in order to ensure safe exit of Pakistanis.
“We are in contact with them for possible joint movement of people in convoys under security.”
Aslam said Pakistan is in contact with the neighbouring countries of Yemen for evacuation of Pakistanis there without visa by any ‘safe means’.
