Two PIA planes to evacuate Pakistanis from Yemen

ISLAMABAD: On the directives of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif two planes have been arranged which will evacuate stranded Pakistanis from Yemen.

The airplanes provided by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will depart for Yemen after receiving clearance from the Embassy in Sanaa and aviation authorities.

Several airports in Yemen are non-functional due to damage caused to the infrastructure of the country.

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Main Points
- Approximately 3,000 Pakistanis stranded
- Evacuation to take place from Hudaidah
- FO in contact with neighbouring countries
- PM Nawaz monitoring situation personally

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PIA sources tell Geo News that a Boeing 747 which seats 503 passengers is expected to depart for Yemen. Sources added that 6-7 flights will be required to evacuate approximately 3,000 Pakistanis in Yemen.

The prime minister has directed concerned authorities to keep him informed on the situation of stranded Pakistanis in Yemen. According to the PM House spokesman, Prime Minister Nawaz Shairf is monitoring the situation personally.

In a tweet, Foreign Office Spokesperson, Tasneem Aslam said two PIA planes are on standby and there are plans to move 500 people in a convoy of 12 buses to Hudaidah on Saturday where the airport is functional.

Advisor to the PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said measures were being taken on war-footing to evacuate Pakistanis from Yemen. He added the process to evacuate approximately 3,000 Pakistanis in Yemen would begin in 24 hours. “The people stranded in Sanaa are expected to return by this (Saturday) evening.”




Aziz further said the government had informed the Pakistani community in Yemen to evacuate by February 27 but they had refused to do so. “We had set a February 27 deadline to close the Embassy but people had refused to leave as the situation had not deteriorated.”

Huma Sikander a Pakistani national stranded in Yemen told Geo News that the Pakistani community has been directed to move to the Embassy School by 3 PM and they would be taken to Hudaidah. Huma added that the route to Hudaidah was long and dangerous.

“Hudaidah is not safe. There was bombing there all of last night,” Huma said.




Pakistan’s Ambassador to Yemen Irfan Shami said prayers were required and 1,000 Pakistanis would be taken to a port three hours away. “Efforts are underway to evacuate all Pakistanis from Yemen safely.”

Ambassador Shami added that a crisis cell had been set-up in the Foreign Ministry to provide facilities.