Kyiv (Web Desk/Agencies): Pakistani ambassador to Ukraine Dr Noel Israel Khokhar on has said that said that a large number of Pakistani students and families stranded in war-hit Ukraine have been safely evacuated to Poland.
In a voice message on his Twitter handle, Khokhar said that there were about 3,000 Pakistani students in Ukraine and the bulk of which had been safely evacuated despite the difficult situation in the country.
He said that some 500 to 600 Pakistanis are still stuck in Ukraine, adding that the embassy was taking measures to safely evacuate them.
50 to 60 Pakistani students in two to three groups will be transported to Poland today, he added.
“All Pakistanis are safe and we are trying to guide them under the difficult situation,” Khokhar said, citing the closure of flights, banking systems and non-availability of transport and fuel.
Sharing the latest details, the ambassador said a total of 62 people including 21 family members of the embassy staff had already been evacuated whereas 59 people were on the Ukraine-Poland border crossing.
He said another 79 people including 67 students and 12 family members of embassy staff were on their way to Ukraine-Poland border. A batch of 104 students from Kharkiv was arriving via train while 20 other students were being evacuated from Kyiv on a bus arranged by the embassy.
In a bid to accelerate the evacuation process, the Pakistani embassy in Ukraine has formally requested the Poland government to open more crossing points for pedestrians on its border with Ukraine, confirmed the Foreign Office.
Earlier, Poland had opened only one border crossing point for pedestrians, it added.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Embassy in Bucharest, Romania has established an additional hotline in addition to embassy’s already existing one which is being manned round-the-clock.
Detailed information/guidance regarding border crossing points and visas are shared on social media. Individuals were also guided separately. A cell headed by DHM and supervised by HOM for coordination with the Romanian side had been set up for facilitation of entrants mainly upon entering at Siret.
In coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, arrangements were in place for the immediate issuance of visas, further onward transit and medical assistance, while accommodation arrangements had also been made in the capital.
Facilitation is being provided for further transit of those Pakistanis who intended to leave for Pakistan or any other destination of their liking.
So far, four Pakistanis, who had lodged in Bucharest, were evacuated whereas another 16 Pakistanis were expected to be evacuated today.
A team of Embassy of Pakistan in Budapest, Hungary, left for Zahony border to receive 15 Pakistani students and the related arrangements were made for their reception, transport, stay in Budapest and onward travel to Pakistan.
The embassy was in contact with three other groups having 3, 7 and 4 members who had indicated the possibility of reaching on Monday.