Islamabad (Web Desk): A chartered flight carrying 318 Pakistani nationals, who had been evacuated from Syria to Beirut the day before, landed in Islamabad on Friday.
The repatriates were received at the airport by Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik.
The evacuation, carried out on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was a coordinated effort between the NDMA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aimed at ensuring the safe return of Pakistani citizens from Syria.
Ina statement, the premier said that securing the safety of Pakistanis abroad remained a top priority for the government. He also commended the swift and effective response by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassies in Syria and Lebanon, and the NDMA in managing the complex operation.
Additionally, the Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the support provided by Lebanon, and he specially thanked Prime Minister Najib Mikati and his government for a crucial role in facilitating the evacuation process.
Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz also instructed relevant authorities to continue efforts to repatriate more citizens still stranded in Syria.