Nawaz calls for evacuating Pakistanis from Yemen

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has asked for immediate evacuation of the stranded Pakistani families in Yemen that is in the grip of civil war and acute insurgency.
According to the PM House, Premier Nawaz Sharif has given the instruction keeping in view of the developments in the conflict-ravaged country.Sources told The News here on Friday that for the practical purpose, Pakistan’s Mission in Yemen’s capital Sana’a, wasn’t functional. The number of the staff in the Mission has already been reduced to the minimum and they have moved to a safer place.
The PM House in its directive has stated that the people living in Yemen are vulnerable to all sorts of crimes including kidnapping as the State system is collapsing. The prime minister directed that steps should be taken on war footings for ensuring their safety and evacuation.
The sources pointed out that Pakistan’s Mission in Yemen was without ambassador but the communication system of the embassy was still working.The Foreign Office’s division concerned has initiated action toprovide assistance to the Pakistani families and for the purpose, the embassies situated in the vicinity of Yemen have been contacted on emergency basis.
Interestingly, the Foreign Office declined to close its Mission in Sana’a contrary to earlier advice due to situation obtaining in that country, the sources said.Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Yemen, Irfan Shami reported the Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) that the situation had gone worst and no administration was working in Sana’a. He vowed to contact Pakistani families as well.
Speaking to Geo News, Syed Rehan Ali complained that the Pakistani Embassy was not providing them any information regarding an evacuation plan.Moreover, spokesperson for Pakistan FO said that the government was assessing the situation and a plan of action would be decided accordingly.
The FO stated that the Pakistani community had been informed earlier that the situation on ground could worsen and they were directed to leave Yemen.