Punjab appeals Centre to ensure the safety of Punjabis in Iraq

Chandigarh, June 18, 2014: Jathedar Tota Singh, NRI Affairs Minister, Punjab today appealed to the Central Government to take all possible measures to ensure safety of Punjabi’s, who are working in Iraq, keeping in view the civil war like situation there.
In a press statement issued here today, Jathedar Tota Singh requested the Ministry of External Affairs to use its good office with Baghdad and the other neighbouring countries in that region to secure the safe passage and exit of Punjabis from Iraq.
He said that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal have personally called Sushma Swaraj, Union External Affairs Minister to take all the necessary steps to ensure the safe exit of Punjabis from Iraq. He further said that with the present internal war like situation in Iraq poses a threat to the lives of Punjabi’s working there. He added that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has assured Punjab Government that it was keeping a close watch on the situation in Iraq and all timely efforts would be made to evacuate Punjabis from Iraq.
Jathedar Tota Singh said that the state government is committed to provide all possible support and help to its citizens in Iraq for ensuring their safe return. The state government is constantly in touch with the Central Government and Centre has also assured the safe return of all Indian Citizens from Iraq.