ISLAMABAD: The government ordered on Friday evacuation of Pakistanis from Yemen, citing deteriorating law and order situation in the strife-torn country.

“Keeping in view the deteriorating situation in Yemen the prime minister has given instructions for immediate evacuation of the Pakistani families stranded there,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement after television channels broadcast interviews of some families from Sanaa.

It is estimated that about 3,000 Pakistanis are living in Yemen. The destruction of Sanaa airport in Saudi air strikes would complicate the evacuation operation.

Indians, meanwhile, are planning to evacuate their nationals through Al Hodeida port, using their naval ships which are already in the Gulf of Aden.

In TV interviews, many stranded families expressed fears for their security because of the air strikes launched by a Saudi-led anti-Houthi alliance. A number of civilians are reported to have died in the strikes across Yemen.

The PMO statement, however, attributed the decision for evacuation to an increase in crimes.

“People living in Yemen are vulnerable to all sorts of crimes, including kidnapping, as the state system is collapsing,” it said, adding that the prime minister had said that steps should be taken on a war footing for ensuring their safety and evacuation. The embassy in Sanaa has asked the Pakistanis in Yemen to restrict their movement and remain vigilant.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2015

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