ISLAMABAD: Seven Pakistanis stranded in Yemen for more than a decade were repatriated and reunited with their families in Pakistan.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) facilitated their return on the request of the Pakistan government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The process of bringing them back to Pakistan was initiated by the Embassy of Pakistan in Sana’a. After the closure of the embassy, owing to the security situation there, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued making efforts for their expeditious and safe repatriation, in coordination with the embassy of Yemen in Islamabad.
“We just cannot find words to express our joy and emotions on this occasion. I feared for his life as we were hearing worrying news coming from Yemen”, said Asghar Ali, the brother of one of the repatriated Pakistanis.
Similar remarks of joy were uttered by Miran Baloch, after reuniting with his uncle. “I thank God that my uncle is finally back after so many years. This is a time for happiness and not to remember the agony of all those years. I will not let him go away again”.
With the support from the ICRC, the families were able to travel to Islamabad to welcome their loved ones at the airport. They will also be assisted in travelling back to their respective homes in Pakistan.
The seven Pakistani fishermen who crossed international waters were released from Sana’a Central Prison, where the ICRC first visited them in April 2016 as part of its routine detention visits in Yemen. “The ICRC shares this moment of joy with the families who met their loved ones after more than 10 years,” said Reto Stocker, head of ICRC delegation in Pakistan.
