Pakistanis evacuation from Libya: MoF approves release of Rs 400 million for Pakistan embassy

The Finance Ministry has approved immediate release of Rs 400 million to the Embassy of Pakistan for repatriation of 5,700 Pakistanis from Libya. The release of Rs 400 million was approved by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in consultation with the Prime Minister. Dar Monday chaired a meeting for provision of necessary funds for immediate evacuation of stranded Pakistanis from Libya.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Tariq Fatami informed the participants that civil war is going on in Libya and parts of the country are being run by militiamen and warlords. He said there is a serious security and safety situation facing Pakistanis and the Prime Minister had earlier directed Ministry of Foreign Affairs for ensuring their repatriation. Mohammad Ali Gardezi, Secretary Aviation Division, informed the meeting that due to Hajj flights commencing from August, it will not be possible for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to spare planes for evacuation.
Moreover, he further stated that under the circumstances, it is financially and logistically not possible for PIA to manage evacuation of 5,700 stranded Pakistanis. He said the cost of PIA comes to $1,200 per person. Dar stated that it is the moral responsibility of the government to take immediate steps for evacuation of stranded Pakistanis in Libya and all necessary measures should be adopted in this regard. He said under the present situation the option recommended by the embassy to engage local airline, which has agreed to evacuate each person for $1,000 seems to be the only available option.
The meeting was also attended by Secretary Finance Dr Waqar, Secretary Overseas Pakistanis, Raja Hasan Abbas, Advisor to Finance Ministry, Rana Assad Amin, Additional Finance Secretary and Special Assistant to Finance Minister, Shahid Mahmood, Managing Director (MD) Overseas Pakistani Foundation (OPF), Habibur Rehman Khan and senior officials of the ministries of finance and foreign affairs.