Apr 06 , 2015
News
PIA brings home another 134 Pakistanis from Sanaa
* Sartaj says Pakistan trying its best for negotiated settlement of Yemen crisis
Online
ISLAMABAD: The third special flight carrying 134 stranded Pakistani nationals from Sanaa landed in Islamabad late Sunday night. The passengers belonging to Karachi and Lahore will travel onwards by PIA flights.
Spokesperson at the Foreign Office stated that number this number is slightly less than what was earlier anticipated, since some Pakistanis families residing in Sanaa chose to stay on in Yemen, despite having earlier registered for evacuation.
Earlier in a tweet the spokesperson said that PIA plane took off with 134 Pakistanis, while two Canadian and two Sudanese nationals also on board.
With the completion of this phase of evacuation, the total number of Pakistanis brought back from Yemen, since the emergency operation commenced last Saturday, March 29, 2015, has approached a thousand. This has involved three special flights, two naval evacuations, and one land evacuation, through neighbouring Oman.
Another naval evacuation is planned for today from the port city of “Al Hudeida” for around 50 compatriots, which will almost culminate this extraordinary exercise, carried under the direction and guidance of the Prime Minister, to bring back home all stranded Pakistanis in Yemen, who have been facing extreme security challenges, due to the ongoing conflict in the country.
It is the excellent coordination and cooperation among all concerned departments, particularly, Civil Aviation, PIA, Pakistan Navy, PAF, OPF as well as our Embassies in Sana’a, Riyadh, Muscat, Beijing and Addis Ababa, which has helped effect a very organized and expeditious evacuation in very difficult circumstances.
Federal Minister Abdul Qadir Baloch and officials of Foreign Ministry and other departments were present in airport who received the passenger.
Meanwhile, Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz says Pakistan is trying its best to seek a negotiated settlement to the Yemen crisis.
In an interview with state media, he said despite all odds, we are continuing efforts to bring both the sides to negotiating table.
He warned that any further escalation in the prevailing security situation in Yemen could destabilise the entire region, affecting the Muslim Ummah.
Sartaj Aziz said as a result of Prime Minister’s recent visit to Ankara, Turkey and Pakistan have agreed to intensify efforts for a peaceful solution to the Yemen issue. To a question, the Adviser said Pakistan will take a final decision on how to move forward on the Yemen issue at the joint session of the parliament today.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk