ISLAMABAD, Feb 27: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have directed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir to ensure the safety of Pakistanis in Libya.

After the president and the prime minister issued the instructions, the ministry of foreign affairs announced on Sunday that the situation in the troubled region was being monitored round the clock.

In a statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said: “Our embassies in the region are on high alert. Situation rooms have been set up in these embassies.”

She said plans were being made for evacuation by air, land and sea for the Pakistanis who wished to leave Libya. A group of Pakistanis had already reached Tunisia and was being looked after by the embassy in Tunis before possible onward journey to Pakistan.

She said a group of Pakistanis was going to the Egyptian border and the embassy in Cairo would receive them and make arrangements for their journey to Pakistan.

The ministry is in close contact with the Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force for evacuation through sea and air routes, according to Ms Janjua.—APP