No need to airlift Pakistanis: Envoy

ISLAMABAD - Pakistans Ambassador to Egypt, Seema Naqvi, has ruled out the possibility of fallout of the ongoing turmoil in the African nation that could cause any dent on the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Egypt. In a telephonic interview with The Nation on Monday, the ambassador said that irrespective of the regime, Pakistans relations with Egypt rest on very solid foundation; therefore, there was no possibility of any adverse impact on the bilateral relations, she added. She was of the view that life in Egypt was fast returning to normalcy with banks and financial institutions already resumed their operations, which has greatly relieved the masses of their immediate problems. On evacuation of Pakistanis from Egypt, she said there was no need now as the life was almost back to normal but in the outset the riots had pushed her to prepare plans in consultation with the authorities in Islamabad to evacuate Pakistanis. According to these plans, PIA had to send two airplanes to bring Pakistanis back home from Egypt, but these plans were abandoned after situation returned to normal. When asked why it took so long for PIA in sending these airplanes, the ambassador said that it was due the flight clearance by the Egyptian authorities. We got the clearance on February 6, she said. Sharing details relating to the plight of Pakistanis during the turmoil, she pointed out that they have been places where there was no riots. They all are safe, she maintained. When her attention was drawn towards certain media reports that exports from Pakistan to Egypt have been adversely affected since the outbreak of the turmoil, the ambassador straightaway rejected these reports saying it was not the case. Answering a question about the possibility of a spill-over of situation in Egypt to other countries, she said it was hypothetical question as it all depends on how future developments unfold. The situation stands as of today, I would say there were remote chances of its spilling over from Egypt to other regional countries, she noted. She hoped that the situation in Egypt would turn conducive. She declined to comment on the talks between the Egyptian authorities and the protestors, saying it was out of her mandate and not related to her responsibility. The ambassador also declined to comment over the fate of Camp David Accords, which led to boost bilateral relations between Israel and Egypt.

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