Amidst hugs, tears of joy and relief, the families of around 500 Pakistanis were reunited as flights from war-torn Yemen reached Karachi and Islamabad airport.

The evacuated citizens received a warm welcome by political leaders and social activists as well.

Pakistani Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said around 3,000 Pakistanis lived in Yemen, with some 1,000 trying to leave the country.

Yemen has been gripped by growing turmoil since the Houthis launched a power takeover in Sanaa in February.

The situation worsened as Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies launched military operations including air strikes to counter Iran-backed forces besieging the southern city of Aden, where the US-supported Yemeni president had taken refuge.