Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has directed to devise an action plan for the safe and swift evacuation of Pakistanis wishing to return from Syria through the neighboring countries.

Chairing a meeting here in Islamabad on Monday regarding the evacuation of Pakistanis in view of the current situation in Syria, he said steps should be taken for safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Syria.

He said safety of the lives and property of Pakistanis residing in Syria is the top priority of the government and all resources should be utilized for this purpose.

The Prime Minister also instructed the Pakistani Embassy in Damascus to establish an information desk and a helpline for contacting Pakistani citizens.

He directed that the Crisis Management Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the information desks in Pakistani embassies in Syria and its neighboring countries should remain functional round the clock until the security situation improves.