Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sought his Lebanese counterpart’s support in the evacuation of Pakistani nationals stranded in Syria after rebels took over the government. Najib Mikati has assured him of facilitating the evacuation process.

The premier has directed the concerned authorities on Monday to formulate an action plan for the safe evacuation of Pakistanis, wishing to return from Syria, via neighbouring countries as “soon as possible.”

The prime minister presided over a meeting in Islamabad to review the Syria situation and the safe evacuation of Pakistanis present in that country.

Syrian rebels said on Sunday that they had ended President Bashar al-Assad’s rule, in their first announcement on state television following a lightning offensive that took the world by surprise.

Syria’s army command notified officers that Assad’s regime had ended, a Syrian officer who was informed of the move told Reuters. But the Syrian army later said it was continuing operations against “terrorist groups” in the key cities of Hama and Homs and in Deraa countryside.

Assad flew out of Damascus to take asylum in Russia, Reuters reported.

“All possible steps should be taken to ensure the safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Syria,” PM Shehbaz said, “the safety of Pakistanis’ lives and property in Syria is our top priority.”

He instructed officials to utilise all available resources for this purpose. The premier also directed the Pakistan Embassy in Damascus to establish an information desk and a helpline to facilitate the Pakistanis.

Until the security situation improves, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Crisis Management Unit and information desks at Pakistani embassies in Syria and its neighbouring countries “should remain operational round-the-clock”.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatemi attended the meeting.

Lebanon will wholeheartedly welcome Pakistani nationals from Syria

PM Shehbaz condemned Israel’s military aggression against Lebanon and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a telephonic conversation with Lebanese PM Najib Mikati, he welcomed the ceasefire agreement for Lebanon and called for a similar one for the people of Palestine.

While noting the relations between two countries, the prime minister stated: “The entire Pakistani nation stood in solidarity with the people of Lebanon during these challenging times.”

He noted that Pakistan provided humanitarian assistance to its brothers and sisters in Lebanon and stood ready to provide all possible support in the future as well.

Both leaders exchanged notes on the evolving situation in Syria. PM Shehbaz sought Mikati’s “personal intervention and support in facilitating the “immediate evacuation” of Pakistani nationals, stranded in Syria through Beirut.

Lebanese PM Mikati thanked his Pakistani counterpart for Pakistan’s support and position on Israel’s military aggression against Lebanon.

He noted that “this exemplified the warm and brotherly ties between the two nations.” He assured the PM that Lebanon would “wholeheartedly” welcome Pakistani nationals from Syria and extend all possible support to them in their safe return home.

Thereafter, the prime minister spoke to Pakistan’s Ambassadors in Syria and Lebanon and instructed them to extend “all possible assistance” and cooperation to the stranded Pakistanis in Syria and facilitate their safe return home.