ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar Friday said that the government had been successful in the repatriation of 11 Pakistani nationals, alongside 20 nationals of brotherly country Iran, through Singapore, who were aboard vessels seized in the high seas by the United States.
In a post on X, he said, “All individuals are in good health and high spirits. The welfare and well-being of Pakistanis abroad, particularly those in distress, remains our government’s highest priority. All individuals have reached Bangkok from Singapore and already boarded the flight scheduled to reach Islamabad later tonight. Our Irani brothers will then be facilitated to return to their homeland,” he added.
He said, “My sincere appreciation to the Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and the Prime Minister and the Government of Singapore for their continued support and engagement throughout this process, extended at my request. I also thank Foreign Minister of Iran, brother Abbas Araghchi, for reposing trust in Pakistan for the repatriation of our Iranian brethren.”
He said, “I extend gratitude to Government of the United States and Secretary Marco Rubio for close coordination in facilitating the smooth return of 31 Pakistani and Irani nationals, and to the Government of Thailand for facilitating, at our request, the transit of these individuals through Bangkok.”
“My heartfelt thanks to my colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, and Pakistan’s Missions in Singapore and Thailand for their timely coordination and dedicated efforts, ensuring the smooth, safe, and successful completion of the repatriation process,” he added.