Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed that the Pakistani embassies in Gulf countries must remain readily available at all times to assist Pakistani citizens amid the prevailing situation in the region.
Chairing a meeting regarding the evacuation of Pakistanis from Iran and issues related to Pakistanis residing in Gulf countries, the prime minister expressed gratitude to the brotherly country of Azerbaijan for assisting in the evacuation of Pakistanis from Iran.
During the meeting the participants were briefed on the current situation regarding the evacuation of Pakistanis from Iran.
“By the grace of Allah, Pakistani citizens are safely returning home from Iran, and the Pakistani Embassy in Azerbaijan is fully active in facilitating the process”, the prime minister was told.
The meeting was also informed that, on the prime minister’s instructions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was continuously monitoring the entire situation. A briefing was also given on the measures taken by Pakistani embassies to facilitate Pakistani citizens residing in Gulf countries.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the government has taken proactive measures to facilitate the evacuation of Pakistani nationals from Iran and to support Pakistan’s citizens who are stranded at various locations abroad.
“The Crisis Management Unit (CMU) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is operating round the clock to monitor developments and extend the necessary assistance to Pakistani nationals,” said the FO spokesperson.
On the instructions of the prime minister, Special Facilitation Desks have been established at Pakistan’s missions abroad to assist stranded Pakistani nationals with visa facilitation, logistics, and travel arrangements, he added.
Andrabi noted that missions had also launched dedicated applications, registration portals, and helplines to enable timely outreach and assistance, adding these missions are in close coordination with host governments to ensure the necessary consular facilitation for the Pakistani diaspora.
The government of Pakistan remains fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and ensuring their safe and timely return, he added.
Separately, Shehbaz Sharif and Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia on Thursday spoke on telephone and expressed his serious concern over the ongoing escalation in the Middle East, following Israel’s attacks against Iran and the subsequent attacks against brotherly Gulf countries.
He emphasized on the imperative of upholding respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, as enshrined in the UN Charter and international law and urged all parties to exercise restraint, end hostilities and resolve their differences through diplomacy and dialogue.
During the discussion, the two leaders agreed that restoration of peace and a swift return to normalcy was essential, but this could be achieved only through exercise of maximum restraint by all parties involved. In this regard, they agreed to work together and coordinate their positions on a regular basis.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also briefed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on recent developments in the context of Afghanistan.
He especially shared the efforts being undertaken to secure Pakistan against terrorist elements, while eradicating terrorism from the region and beyond. Both leaders agreed to maintain close coordination on all issues of mutual interest.
Adequate petroleum stocks
Moreover, the government on Thursday assured the public that the country currently holds sufficient stocks of petroleum products to meet national demand and that there is no need for panic buying or hoarding.
In view of the prevailing geopolitical situation, authorities are closely monitoring the petroleum supply chain to ensure the uninterrupted availability of products across the country.
“The existing stock position remains comfortable and well within the prescribed requirements,” a spokesperson for the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) said in a statement.
JI delegation calls on PM
A Jamaat-e-Islami delegation led by its Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman on Thursday called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and discussed the prevailing situation across the region.
During the meeting the delegation was given an in-camera briefing on the current situation in Iran, Middle East and Afghanistan.
The delegation was taken into confidence regarding Pakistan’s diplomatic measures and efforts amid the current regional situation.
Members of the delegation were informed about the measures taken by Pakistan’s embassies in Iran and Gulf countries to facilitate Pakistani citizens.
Separately, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday called on Prime Minister (PM) Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and discussed matters of mutual interest.
During the meeting, the overall current political situation and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa matters came under discussion, a press release issued by the PM House said.