Over 1,600 evacuees, including Pakistanis, arrive at Saudi naval base in Jeddah from Sudan

The Saudi-flagged ferry passenger ship Amanah carrying evacuated civilians fleeing violence in Sudan arrives at King Faisal navy base in Jeddah on April 26, 2023 following a rescue operation amid a US-brokered ceasefire between the country's warring generals. (AFP)
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Updated 26 April 2023
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Over 1,600 evacuees, including Pakistanis, arrive at Saudi naval base in Jeddah from Sudan

  • A Saudi ship brought 1,687 people belonging to 58 nationalities from Port Sudan to the kingdom Wednesday morning
  • Saudi Arabia has played a pivotal role in helping countries across the world with the evacuation process since the conflict began

ISLAMABAD/RIYADH: A ship carrying another batch of evacuees from Sudan arrived in Jeddah early on Wednesday as the Saudi government continues to move its citizens, as well as foreign nationals, from the battle-scarred state to safety.

The ship transported 1,687 people from 58 nationalities from Port Sudan on the east coast of the African country on the Red Sea.

The Saudi-flagged ship “Amana” docked at the King Faisal Naval Base just before 5 a.m.

“In continuation of the evacuation efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the directives of the Kingdom’s Leadership, several evacuees arrived from the Republic of Sudan to the city of Jeddah today by a Kingdom’s ship, which included 13 Saudi citizens and 1674 individuals of [various] nationalities,” said a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry.

The statement added the kingdom had helped Pakistani nationals along with the citizens belonging to the United States, United Kingdom, France, Afghanistan, India and other countries.

“The Kingdom worked to provide all the necessary needs of foreign nationals in preparation for facilitating their departures to their countries, bringing the total number of evacuees from Sudan since the evacuations began to approximately 2148 person,” the statement added.

 

 

 

As passengers disembarked, they were welcomed by base officials and diplomatic authorities from various nationalities.

Saudi Arabia has been involved in evacuating people fleeing the fighting in Sudan.

Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative of to the United Nations, earlier stressed on the importance of preserving the current truce in Sudan.

At the UN Security Council in New York, he said the Kingdom is working with all its partners to stabilize the truce in Sudan, praising the cooperation of the Sudanese parties to facilitate the evacuation of civilians.


PM announces Rs10 million each for players of Pakistan’s U-19 Asia Cup winning squad

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PM announces Rs10 million each for players of Pakistan’s U-19 Asia Cup winning squad

  • Pakistan thumped favorites India by 191 runs in a one-sided contest in Dubai on Sunday
  • PM Sharif also announces Rs2.5 million prize for each member of the team’s management

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a cash reward of Rs10 million ($35,700) each for the players of Pakistan’s Under-19 Asia Cup winning squad, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported on Monday.

The development came after a luncheon hosted by the prime minister in Islamabad in honor of the Pakistan U-19 team, commending the team management, Captain Farhan Yousaf, Sameer Minhas, Ali Raza and all members of the contingent for bringing laurels to the country.

Pakistan thumped favorites India in a one-sided contest in Dubai on Sunday. Sent to bat first, Pakistan finished at an impressive 347-8 from 50 overs, powered by an explosive 172-run knock by Minhas. In response, India could only manage a score of 156 runs before being bowled out, with Raza returning figures of 4-42.

“I would like to congratulate you all from the bottom of my heart,” Sharif told Pakistan players and officials in comments televised on Monday. “You defeated the opponent in a way that no one could have imagined.”

In addition, Sharif announced a cash prize of Rs2.5 million ($8,926) for each member of the team’s management, Radio Pakistan reported.

Earlier, the Under-19 Asia Cup champions received a rousing heroes’ welcome upon arrival at the Islamabad airport from Dubai, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The team was welcomed at the airport by State Minister for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani and other officials. The U-19 cricket stars were showered with rose petals as a large crowd of fans thronged the airport to catch a glimpse of the winning side.

Social media footage also showed a large number of fans posing with the cricket stars for selfies and pictures.