Pakistani gov't evacuates hundreds of citizens from Libya

Pakistani gov't evacuates hundreds of citizens from Libya

2011-03-01 19:20:40 GMT+7 (ICT)

ISLAMABAD (BNO NEWS) -- The Pakistani government on Tuesday said it has evacuated more than 350 of its nationals from Libya, where deadly anti-government protests are continuing.

Libya has been plunged into chaos as massive anti-government protests continue nationwide, resulting in a violent crackdown by security forces which included aerial bombardments on protesters. At least 300 people and as many as more than 1,000 people have been killed in the uprising, but confirmed information has been difficult to obtain due to reporting restrictions by Libyan authorities.

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday that two special chartered flights carrying a total of 354 Pakistani expatriates have left Libya. The first flight, carrying 174 Pakistanis, reached Lahore on Monday evening while the second flight landed in Lahore on Tuesday.

On Monday, the Pakistani government said it is working with officials in Tunisia, Algeria, China, Egypt and Turkey to help speed up the evacuation. "Especially of those Pakistanis who have arrived without proper documentation and passports," the Ministry said in a statement.

A group of Pakistanis had already reached Turkey by sea and preparations were being made for their airlift, the Ministry said on Monday. Another group of Pakistanis reached the Algerian border with Libya.

It remains unclear how many Pakistanis remain in Libya, but some media reports said thousands could still remain in Libya. "The Foreign Ministry is working around the clock with its Missions in the region to assure the safety of Pakistanis in Libya," the Ministry added.

Other nations are also struggling to evacuate its citizens.

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