Pakistan has evacuated around 1,100 people — including diplomats, staff of diplomatic missions and international agencies, and journalists — from Kabul, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations Ambassador Munir Akram said on Friday.
In an interview with CNN’s Isa Soares, he said that the situation in Afghanistan was “challenging”. “But our embassy is operating. They are processing all applicants [seeking] visas and those who want to utilise Pakistan as a transit point to leave Afghanistan.”
He said that Pakistan was flying three flights a day to Kabul airport so that between 500 to 600 people can be evacuated on a daily basis.
He added that Pakistan would also facilitate those wanting to enter Pakistan through the land border between the two countries, provided they have the necessary documentation.
“But at the moment, the focus has been on the airport which is under US control, and we are utilising that to take out as many people as possible,” he said.
Meanwhile, federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said that Pakistan International Airlines had resumed its Kabul operations, adding that 350 passengers will arrive today (Friday).
“More flights are scheduled. Likewise the interior ministry is facilitating people arriving through the borders. Pakistan is at the forefront of helping Journalists and others caught up in the Afghan conflict,” he wrote on Twitter.
