Pilgrims stranded in Damascus, Govt efforts to repatriate citizens in Syria via Beirut

Shiite News: Mohsin Zaidi, a resident of the Pakistani city of Chiniot, had gone to Syria on December 5 for pilgrimage and had a flight to return at 7 am on Sunday.

But when he reached the airport in the Syrian capital Damascus to return home, he realized how bad the situation was.

He tells the BBC that ‘When we arrived in Damascus, we were being told that the situation was not good.

The situation was better until Saturday morning (but) by Asr, the situation became tense and the roads were deserted.’

He was supposed to check in at the airport at 3 am on Sunday. But he left for the airport at 9 pm on Saturday. When he arrived there, he learned that all flights had been canceled.

He says that there are sounds intermittent gunshots in Damascus and many Pakistanis are scared and confined to their hotels.

Several Pakistanis like Mohsin Zaidi are currently stranded in Syria, and steps are being taken for their safe evacuation, according to Pakistani Foreign Office officials.

Pakistani embassy officials in Damascus told the BBC that arrangements are being made for the repatriation of all Pakistanis in Syria.

They have taken copies of the documents. They are giving assurances.

Despite this, ‘we are scared… everyone is confined to the hotel. We are being charged double or even triple the rent.

‘We were going back. They have charged up to $30 per person per night. There are no adequate facilities.’

He said that many Pakistani pilgrims in Damascus are also financially worried. ‘If someone does not have money, they make him stand outside the hotel… It is like a curfew.

He has requested the embassy to ‘help us in whatever way is possible. Get us out of here somehow and take us to Pakistan or some other place.

‘There is no reasonable arrangement for our safety here.