ISLAMABAD, Feb 18: Auth-orities in Islamabad are preparing contingency plans to evacuate some 1.7 million Pakistanis working in Gulf countries in the event of a war in Iraq, an official said on Tuesday.

Pakistan has already pulled non-essential diplomatic staff and diplomats’ families out of Baghdad, leaving essential diplomats and another 42 Pakistanis living in the Iraqi capital, the foreign ministry has said.

The Overseas Pakistanis Foundation estimates another 1.77 million Pakistanis live in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

The numbers range from 900,000 in Saudi Arabia to 300 in Yemen.

“We are preparing contingency plans in case Pakistanis living in these countries choose to return if there is war against Iraq,” a government official said, requesting anonymity.

“We plan to set up special reception centres at all entry points and airports or the country.”

The labour ministry was coordinating with other ministries to prepare contingency plans, the official added.

Information Minister Sheikh Rashid last week said there were no plans to evacuate Pakistanis living in Iraq or neighbouring Gulf states.—AFP