Islamabad, Dec 9: The Foreign Office has issued an advisory to Pakistani nationals regarding travel to Syria due to the deteriorating situation in the country.
A press release from the Foreign Office advises Pakistani nationals to avoid unnecessary travel to Syria until the situation improves, considering the recent developments there.
The Embassy of Pakistan in Damascus urges Pakistanis currently in Syria to exercise extreme caution and stay in touch.
The Foreign Office has also provided contact details for the Embassy. Pakistani nationals in Syria can reach the Embassy through the following phone/WhatsApp numbers: +963 987 127 822, +963 990 138 972, or via email at parepdamascus@mofa.gov.pk.
In a statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, “We are closely monitoring the evolving situation in Syria.”
She added that the Pakistan Embassy in Syria is open for support and advice.
“As of now, Damascus Airport is closed. Our embassy remains in contact with stranded Pakistani nationals, including Zaireen, and will facilitate their return once the airport opens,” she said.
Baloch further emphasized that Pakistan has always supported Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and there has been no change in its principled stance.
Dar and Turkey’s FM hold a telephonic conversation
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke on the phone with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan about the ongoing situation in Syria.
During the conversation, Dar shared details of the Pakistani government’s efforts to ensure the safety and security of its nationals in Syria. They also discussed potential cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey to protect Pakistani citizens.
Syria’s Bashar al-Assad granted asylum in Russia
In other developments, Russian news agencies reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family arrived in Russia and were granted asylum.
The Interfax news agency cited a Kremlin source stating, “President Assad of Syria has arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted him and his family asylum on humanitarian grounds.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement urging all parties involved in Syria to refrain from violence and resolve governance issues through political means. Russia remains in contact with all Syrian opposition groups.
They are taking measures to ensure the safety of Russian citizens in Syria, advising them to leave the country. The Russian Embassy in Damascus confirmed on Sunday that its staff are safe.
Meanwhile, Syrian rebels have announced a curfew in Damascus from 4pm local time until 5am.
