Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has sought his Lebanese counterpart’s help in evacuating Pakistanis stranded in Syria, sources said on Monday.
Currently, 600 Pakistanis are stranded in Syria and Syrian airports are closed, PM Shehbaz told the Lebanese premier. Just land routes can be used for evacuation from Syria, he added.
The sources said the Lebanese premier assured Pakistani counterpart of all-out help, adding that in response to the request of Shehbaz, the Lebanese premier said Lebanon would issue visas to Pakistanis whether they are 600 or more.
When there was a crisis in Lebanon, Pakistan was the first country to send aid, the Lebanese prime minister recalled.
Reportedly, the Foreign Office activated its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) to help out stranded Pakistanis in Syria as the civil war intensified.
Syrian opposition forces staged a dramatic comeback against President Bashar Assad after the fierce fighting a few days ago.
Syrian opposition forces announced they had gained full control of the key city of Homs after only a day of fighting, leaving Assad’s 24-year rule dangling by a thread. They also said that Assad had fled the country as the opposition forces advanced.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has activated its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) to facilitate Pakistanis in Syria,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
The state broadcaster urged Pakistani citizens in Syria to reach out for help at 051-9207887 and also email at cmu1@mofa.gov.pk.
“Meanwhile, the Embassy of Pakistan in Damascus continues to assist Pakistani nationals in Syria actively,” Radio Pakistan said.