Daily Times

KARACHI: At least 84 Pakistani traders are under detention by Russian authorities at Moscow airport.

According to reports circulating on social media, around 130 Pakistani businessmen were taken to Russia by a private company to take part in an exhibition. However, the authorities at Moscow airport detained them without citing any reason. Of the around 130 men, 48 were deported back to Pakistan but around 84 still remain detained. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday directed the Pakistani ambassador to Russia to make a comprehensive plan for early evacuation of Pakistanis stranded in Moscow. He also directed Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatimi to remain in touch with Pakistani ambassador in Russia.

“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has taken notice of the reports of Pakistanis stranded in Moscow and has directed Pakistan’s ambassador in Russia to help them,” a statement issued by the PM’s Office said. It said the PM directed the ambassador to take up the matter with Russian authorities at the earliest. Earlier, he Foreign Office had stated that 84 Pakistani nationals who are being held at Moscow airport since early morning are likely to be deported by Thursday evening.

“The Foreign Office is in touch with Russian Embassy in Islamabad on the matter,” said FO spokesperson Nafees Zakaria. The detained individuals were part of a group that was held after landing in the country for a business trip, he said. The spokesman said the Russian government informed Pakistan Embassy in Moscow that the Pakistanis are being deported but did not give any reasons for detaining them. A video and pictures circulating on social media showed a group of Pakistanis waiting in a crowded room at the airport while in detention.

The FO spokesman said the Russian authorities had “granted consular access” to the Pakistan embassy in Moscow to meet the stranded individuals. “A Russian-speaking embassy official is meeting the stranded passengers. The issue is also being taken up with the Russian embassy in Islamabad,” Zakaria said. He said the Russian Foreign Ministry had “confirmed that the stranded passengers were served with food and are being looked after appropriately.” “They will be repatriated by evening today and those who were earlier repatriated are in transit in Istanbul,” he added.