Govt vows to safely evacuate Pakistanis stranded in Yemen

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry confirmed that preparations have been made to safely bring back Pakistanis stranded in Yemen, and that the government would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the safety of its citizens.

While addressing a press conference in the federal capital late Saturday, Aizaz said that a special ship of the Pakistan Navy will leave for Yemen on Sunday, while a PIA aeroplane is also ready and waiting for the go-ahead from Yemeni authorities, DawnNews reported.

The foreign secretary said that Pakistani authorities are in constant contact with Saudi authorities to ensure the safe return of Pakistanis from Yemen. “The situation in Yemen is turning bad and it's our priority to safely evacuate our people. There are around 3,000 Pakistanis residing in Yemen, of which around 1,000 are trying to leave the country and come back to Pakistan,” he explained.

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The Pakistani convoy travelling from Yemeni capital Sanaa will reach Al-Hadid in a few hours, from where it will be evacuated to safety, said Aizaz. “Pakistanis can also be shifted to Oman if need arises.”

Aizaz Chaudhry said that following the worsening situation in Yemen, the Pakistani embassy had already advised its citizens to think about leaving the country.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday had ordered the Pakistani mission in Yemen to take steps for the immediate evacuation of stranded Pakistani families in the troubled country.

He said people living in Yemen are vulnerable to all sorts of crimes including kidnapping as the state system there has collapsed.

According to diplomatic sources, Saudi Arabia has also assured its cooperation for the safe evacuation of Pakistanis stranded in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies launched military operations including air strikes in Yemen to counter Iran-backed forces besieging the southern city of Aden, where the US-supported Yemeni president had taken refuge.

Gulf broadcaster al-Arabiya TV reported that the kingdom was contributing as many as 150,000 troops and 100 warplanes to the operations and that allies Egypt, Jordan, Sudan and Pakistan were ready to take part in a ground offensive in Yemen.

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Comments (13) Closed

Awais Ali

Mar 28, 2015 11:52pm

IK said "One is our neighbor(Iran) other is our best friend(SA)" Pakistan should be facilitator. We have problems with Afghanistan, India and now you are starting with Iran? What you are leaving for next generations? Only Wars?

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Dekh Magar Pyaar Se

Mar 28, 2015 11:54pm

How many Pakistanis do we have in Yemen? Any numbers? I have lived in Yemen and I do not think we have more than 2000 people there. I hope the government is not going to use this as an excuse to just get one of our Naval ships out there

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sana

Mar 28, 2015 11:56pm

They were asked to leave before but they chose to wait till the last.. anyhow they will be back in a day or two

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NaMaaloom Fard

Mar 28, 2015 11:59pm

Pakistani Government will have to send a brigade or two to rescue their citizens. Simultaneously they will the Saudi's fight their war in Yemen. What have we come to? A nation of mercenaries?

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Shahpur

Mar 29, 2015 12:43am

Today Pakistan stands in row of Dictators and Corrupt Rulers of the Middle East, in Yemen. Whatever the reason, the question is, is this the right place for Pakistan to be, fighting against one of the most poor Muslim nation? Yeman is being bombed by Dictators and Corrupt Rulers, of the Middle East, for their greed and creuality. It is not the first Saudi aggression, against Yeman. This battle is not just between the House of Saud and Iran, it is a battle, for social injustice, in Islamic world, including Pakistan. Pakistan is involved because of one man Nawaz Sharif who owes its existence to the House of Saud. Why Pakistanis have to die in Yemen, for the House of Saud. This is not a battle between Iran and House of Saud, it is battle about injustice in the Islamic world. The events in Yeman concerns every Muslim around the world.

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Aaron Upright

Mar 29, 2015 12:50am

They should take all necessary measures to rescue them. Our (totally correct) reluctance to embroil ourselves in Arab affairs should not extend to the safety of our citizens. All needed assets, air and naval, should be employed to get them out. All those expensive toys are for nought if they cannot be used to protect Pakistanis.

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Asim

Mar 29, 2015 12:58am

We need to get the rest of the 2000 back additionally.

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Asim

Mar 29, 2015 01:10am

The way around it is the saudis give Pakistani army and pilots Saudi uniforms and planes. They also give them operations of their weapons under command and control of Saudi generals who will supervise but let Pakistanis do the job. Only Pakistan knows how to use AWACS and air to air refueling so it can be called in for that reason, the USA and KSA know that. The major problem is that will spread to Eastern Province of KSA and Bahrain where shia sympathies drawing Iran in further. Iran will support those areas and also a conflict in Pakistan-Afghanistan for shias-sunnis. Do we want an intensification of shia-sunni conflict? No. What do we do? Stay out. If push comes to shove what next? Give a political solution. Defensive roles are permitted for patrolling the Saudi kingdom.

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Majid Ahmed

Mar 29, 2015 01:17am

Never seen Pakistan so actively evacuating citizens.. I mean forget Iraq and Syria... YEMEN...

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SUNNY

Mar 29, 2015 01:25am

There is no problem in supporting your friend country in this war. as this war is against terrorists or rebels what ever you say. who are trying to destroy yemen completely. If we cant help our friends then we should also not expect this from someone else. I think China and Saudia are two countries which Pakistan should support in anyway because both helps Pakistan in all difficult times.

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KeyPoints

Mar 29, 2015 03:00am

Pakistan should not get involved in Yameni civil wars. It seems to be a civil war like situation between yameni government and its people. Muslim leaders should try to mediate between parties for a peaceful resolution. Wonder, whats the reason for such a rebellion, what are their demands, and is there any democratic system or ruled by dictatorship. There should be UN involvement for fact finding and negotiated settlement, to prevent loss of lives. Pakistan has nothing to gain by taking sides.

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Sara Mehmood

Mar 29, 2015 06:06am

Pakistan should not and must not intervene in others affairs. The country is already fighting at so many fronts and the nation's soldiers are not dispensable at others interests. Nawaz should not dare to use state machinery and others lives for pleasing his personal relations. I'm a PML supporter but agree with the oppositions stance on this.

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saqib ghumman

Mar 29, 2015 06:36am

Another field to sell arms and ammunition and destruction followed by rebuilding contracts and hopefully cheap oil!!!

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