As many as 119 Pakistani nationals, who were earlier brought to Karachi by Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Aslat from Yemen, landed at Allama Iqbal International Airport on Wednesday.
Out of 119 repatriated Pakistanis, 62 belong to Lahore while 57 hail from Islamabad.
“We are thankful to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his government’s efforts in bringing back Pakistanis stranded in the war-torn Middle East country,” said one rescued passenger. 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 upon landing at the airport.
