A special charter flight transporting 318 Pakistanis stranded in Syria, which left Beirut, Lebanon earlier today, has reached Pakistan.

Upon their arrival, Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal, along with officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), greeted the returning citizens.

The special flight that brought the Pakistanis back landed in Islamabad at 2am.

Addressing the passengers at the airport, Ahsan Iqbal stated that Lebanon had granted them visas at the request of Prime Minister Shehbaz. He expressed gratitude to the Lebanese Prime Minister for helping ensure their safe return to Pakistan.

The planning minister also informed the passengers that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had arranged buses to take them to their respective destinations.

He emphasized that the Prime Minister personally oversaw the efforts to facilitate the repatriation of Pakistani citizens from Syria, directing authorities to utilize all available resources for their safe return.

Ahsan reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting Pakistani citizens in need abroad, stating, “Wherever Pakistanis face challenges, they are not alone; the Pakistani government stands with them.”

The Pakistanis had been stranded following a rapid offensive by rebels that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and its allies, which ended his five-decade rule.

Earlier today, Pakistan’s ambassador bid farewell to the citizens at Beirut airport. A press release noted that the flight was scheduled to arrive at Islamabad International Airport (IIA) on December 13.

The evacuation of Pakistani citizens via Beirut was made possible by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s dedicated efforts, which included daily meetings to review the evacuation process. The Prime Minister also communicated with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati to seek support for the immediate evacuation of stranded Pakistani nationals through Beirut.

Mikati assured Shehbaz that Lebanon would welcome the Pakistani nationals and provide all possible assistance for their safe return home.

Read more

Pakistani pilgrims stranded in Damascus faces severe challenges, as govt tries repatriation

PM Shehbaz seeks Lebanese counterpart support in Pakistanis evacuation from Syria

79 Pakistani pilgrims evacuated as Syria establishes transitional government