Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastagir on Wednesday told the Senate that nationality of Pakistanis imprisoned in Yemen was being established and all available resources would be utilised to bring back them to the country.

Responding to a calling attention notice raised by Mushahid Hussain Syed about the stranding of 22 Pakistanis in Yemen, on behalf of Advisor to the prime minister on Foreign Affairs, he said that the Foreign office was in close contact with Embassy of Yemen in Islamabad and Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh to ascertain the nationality of the captured.

He said the ministry had series of correspondence with Yemen’s Embassy and the Pakistani mission in Riyadh, which was looking after the affairs. All relevant record has already been obtained, he added.

“The six to ten held individuals, if are Pakistani, emergency measures will be taken to bring them back,” the minister said. However, he said that the government had not yet received any request from stranded individuals. The process of repatriation of stranded Pakistanis had already been completed and special flights were arranged for the purpose.

Earlier, Mushahid Hussain Syed said there were around 22 Pakistanis, including 11 fishermen, languishing in the Sana’a jail. He said it was the responsibility of the government to protect the lives of Pakistanis and take steps for their return to the country.