Pakistan has repatriated four citizens injured and the bodies of three others killed in Somalia following directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
ISLAMABAD (Somali Report) — Pakistan has repatriated four citizens injured and the remains of three others killed in Somalia, following directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government said Sunday.
The injured Pakistanis — Usman Ghani, Aqeel Khan, Amin bin Shams and Yasir Khan — were flown to Karachi aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET-694, according to a government spokesperson.
The same flight carried the bodies of three Pakistani nationals identified as Rafiullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umar and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari.
The aircraft was scheduled to arrive at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport at 4:40 pm local time on Sunday, the spokesperson said.
Pakistan's Ambassador to Ethiopia Atif Aziz and its Ambassador to Djibouti Aqsa Nawaz were present at Addis Ababa airport to see off the injured citizens and the remains of those killed.
The Pakistani government did not provide further details about the incident in Somalia that left the seven citizens dead or injured, including when or where it occurred.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif monitored the repatriation process, according to the statement, with authorities instructed to ensure the safe return of the injured and deceased.
The operation involved coordination between Pakistani diplomatic missions in the region and authorities overseeing the transfer through Ethiopia, before the group continued to Pakistan.
The repatriation comes as Pakistan maintains diplomatic and economic ties with Somalia, a country that has faced decades of insecurity but is seeking to strengthen its institutions and attract greater international investment.
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Somalia, located on the Horn of Africa, has also become an important destination for foreign workers and businesses, particularly in sectors including construction, telecommunications, trade and services.
The Pakistani government has in recent years sought to strengthen its engagement with Somalia and other countries in East Africa, including through diplomatic and commercial cooperation.
Pakistan's diplomatic missions in the region played a central role in facilitating the return of the citizens, with the ambassadors in Ethiopia and Djibouti overseeing the departure from Addis Ababa.
The government said Sharif remained closely involved throughout the process to ensure coordination and prompt assistance to the affected families.
The return of the bodies will allow the families of the three deceased Pakistanis to receive their remains and proceed with funeral arrangements, while the four injured citizens are expected to receive further medical care after reaching Karachi.
Officials did not immediately disclose the nature of the injuries suffered by the four survivors or provide details on their current medical condition.
The Pakistani statement also did not identify the circumstances surrounding the incident, leaving unclear whether the casualties resulted from an accident, an attack or another event.
Authorities are expected to provide further information as efforts continue to assist the affected Pakistani nationals and their families.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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