500 plus Pakistanis evacuated from Yemen
Pakistan on Sunday evacuated more than 500 of its citizens from Yemen by jumbo jet and sent a naval frigate to rescue others stranded in the war-torn country, officials said, while a total of 449 Chinese nationals were evacuated from the conflict-racked zone yesterday, state media said, as an Arab coalition continued air strikes against Shiite rebels near Sanaa.
Six nationals from other countries were also rescued, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.
On Sunday 122 Chinese citizens were evacuated, China's foreign ministry said.
A People's Liberation Army naval detachment, which had been carrying out anti-piracy escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters, was sent to Yemen on Sunday to allow Chinese nationals to leave the country, China's defence ministry said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Shujaat Azeem, aviation advisor to the Pakistani prime minister, said the PIA flight carrying 503 passengers from Hodeidah had arrived in Karachi.
Live television footage showed the jubilant passengers being offered rose garlands and bunting of the Pakistani white and green flag as they emerged from the arrivals lounge of Jinnah International Airport.
Many people cried when they hugged each other and relatives of some passengers distributed sweets to those who had gathered to welcome the evacuees.
Passengers said they were happy to be home and thanked the government amid slogans of "Long live Pakistan", "Long live prime minister" and "Long live PIA."
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said there were still up to 250 Pakistanis in the port town of Mukalla, which was peaceful, with officials trying to ascertain how many want to be evacuated from nearby Riyan airport.
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