Pakistan says it is sending a plane to Yemen to begin evacuating its citizens amid a Saudi-led campaign of air strikes targeting Shi'ite rebels who have taken control of much of the country.
Shujaat Azim, an adviser to Pakistan's prime minister, told state-run Pakistan Television on March 29 that the plane would evacuate about 600 Pakistani citizens who have gathered near the Yemeni port city of Al-Hodeida.
Azim said additional flights will be sent as authorities in Yemen approve them.
Islamabad says a total of about 3,000 Pakistani citizens live in Yemen.
A Saudi-led coalition of 10 Sunni Arab countries has been launching air strikes against the Shi'ite rebels, known as Huthis, since March 26.
Saudi Arabia accuses Shi'ite-led Iran of backing the Huthi fighters.