As the world watches on the crises unfolding in Ukraine, the Opposition has raised concern over Pakistani students stranded there. Both PML-N and PPP have expressed concern and urged the government to ensure the safe return of Pakistani citizens.
1500 Pakistanis, including 500 students remain stranded in Ukraine after Russian armed forces launched a special military operation. Since then, the students have been uploading videos on social media about their predicament and requesting the government for safe evacuation.
Taking note of the videos, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz questioned whether anyone is helping the students.
“Is there anyone listening to the entreaties of hundreds of Pakistani students stranded in Ukraine waiting to be evacuated?” Maryam Nawaz tweeted.
Is there anyone listening to the entreaties of hundreds of Pakistani students stranded in Ukraine waiting to be evacuated ?
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) February 25, 2022
Similarly, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman urged the government to make arrangements for the safe return of Pakistani students and citizens. The PPP leader also urged them to provide all the facilities to students.
Read more: Russia attacks Ukraine: Now what’s next?
“Our students and citizens in Ukraine need to be safely evacuated to Pakistan without delay. Other countries have responded with speed. Our missions there need to act fast to run special flights home. An embassy’s first responsibility is to nationals in distress, so please prioritize,” the PPP leader also tweeted.
Our students & citizens in Ukraine need to be safely evacuated to Pakistan without delay. Other countries have responded with speed; our missions there need to act fast to run special flights home. An embassy’s first responsibility is to nationals in distress, so pl prioritise pic.twitter.com/7gHw0QkgoV
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) February 25, 2022
Students expose failure of Pakistan embassy
Important to note, students in their videos highlighted how the Pakistani Embassy in Ukraine failed them. To clarify, students claimed that before the Russian offensive, the embassy promised them to arrange buses to take them to airports and to operate special PIA flights for their safe repatriation. However, it did nothing and they are stuck inside different airports.
Moreover, many students themselves booked their tickets to Kyiv—Ukraine’s capital— in an attempt to escape the country earlier this month before the start of the war but the embassy directed them to cancel them.
Please Support
Them and Raise Your voices for Pakistani Students in Ukraine
Do pray for them
The person in the video is my best friend 🥲#RussiaUkraineConflict pic.twitter.com/RnKJTCEXUW— Mohal_Talal (@talal_mohal) February 24, 2022
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Ukraine Dr. Noel Israel Khokhar said that the government is working on the safe evacuation of all Pakistan nationals stranded in Ukraine. Moreover, the embassy asked students to move to safe locations.
Read more: Biden refuses to send US troops to fight in Ukraine