ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has activated its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) to assist Pakistanis in Syria as the war-torn country undergoes a ‘command transition’ following the capture of the capital Damascus. passing through
The Syrian army command told its officers on Sunday that President Bashar al-Assad’s rule had ended after a lightning strike by rebels, a Syrian military officer familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Meanwhile, the ministry requested that Pakistani nationals and their families in Syria contact CMU through phone number: 051-9207887 or email. cmu1@mofa.gov.pk.
On the other hand, the Pakistani Embassy in Damascus is actively working to facilitate Pakistani nationals in Syria, said a press release issued by the Foreign Office (FO) on Saturday.
Embassy of Pakistan, Damascus can be contacted on: Mobile/WhatsApp: +963 987 127 822; +963 990 138 972 and Email: parepdamascus@mofa.gov.pk.
Assad left Damascus for an undisclosed destination, two senior military officers told Reuters, as rebels said they entered the capital with no sign of a troop deployment.
Witnesses said thousands in vehicles and on foot gathered in a central square in Damascus, waving and chanting “freedom”.
“We celebrate with the Syrian people the release of our prisoners and the release of their chains and the end of the cycle of injustice in Saidnaya prison,” the rebels said.
Hadi al-Bahra Shami, head of Syria’s main opposition group abroad, also announced Sunday that Damascus was now “without Bashar al-Assad.”
In view of the worsening law and order situation in Syria, the FO had on December 6 advised Pakistani citizens to avoid traveling to the violence-hit country.
In a statement, the FO said: “Pakistani nationals are advised to avoid non-essential travel or evening visits to Syria until conditions improve.”
Those currently in Syria have been advised to exercise extreme caution and stay in touch with the Pakistani embassy in Damascus.