Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed authorities to develop an action plan for the swift and safe evacuation of Pakistanis wishing to return from Syria through neighboring countries.
This directive follows recent developments in Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad fled the country after being ousted by Syrian rebels, ending the Assad family’s 50-year rule. The rapid changes have heightened concerns about potential instability in the Middle East.
The Foreign Office (FO) activated its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) last week to assist Pakistanis in Syria. It urged citizens to exercise extreme caution and maintain contact with the Embassy of Pakistan in Damascus. While the Damascus Airport remains closed, the embassy is actively coordinating with stranded Pakistani nationals, including pilgrims, to ensure their safety.