Srinagar, May 11 (KNS): JKNC MP Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi on Monday reiterated his demand of early evacuation of Kashmiris stranded in Kazakhstan, Krgystan, Uzbeistan, Pakistan and other countries.

He called on External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar early this morning and sought early evacuation of the stranded Kashmiris including students, visitors and tourists. The minister concerned gave a patient hearing to Masoodi and assured him that the government will take all possible steps to ensure safe return of all stranded compatriots from the countries mentioned.

Masoodi who has been receiving distress calls from the parents and relatives of the stranded drew the attention of Jaishankar towards their predicament. While highlighting the tribulation of the stranded Masoodi said, “I sought a quick response of the concerned minister to the demand of safe return of Indians from J&K on compassionate and humanitarian grounds. I urged him to pursue the humanitarian approach adopted by him in various previous cases. I also brought to his notice the innumerable sufferings the stranded are going through due to the prevailing Covid crises,” adding, “I expressed my dissatisfaction over the tempo of efforts under way in bringing all the stranded back home. I urged him to give a flip to the evacuation efforts.”

Masoodi acquainted the concerned minister that the stranded besides suffering due to shortfall of edibles, medicines and other necessary items are going through distress and mental agony. “Its not just the stranded who are going through tribulations, its their families who are also weighed down under anxiety. A timely and phased evacuation will bring much needed respite to sufferers at both ends. I asked the Hon’ble Minister to arrange special flights and open land entry points at Wagah so that Kashmiri students and others stranded from Kashmir can come back to their country.”