Over 400 Pakistani pilgrims evacuated from Iran, says Dar amid regional tensions

• Govt says it is closely monitoring the Middle East situation.
• Fully committed to protection of Pakistani citizens, says govt.
• Necessary measures "initiated" for safe return of Pakistanis.

In light of existing uncertainty and air operations' disruptions due to the ongoing conflict, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has assured that the government was taking necessary measures for the welfare of Pakistani nationals in Iran and Iraq.

Taking to X, FM Dar said that as many as 450 Pakistanis pilgrims were evacuated from Iran on Saturday and arrangements were being made for 154 students stranded in Iran.

"Our Embassy in Iraq is in contact with Pakistani Zaireen who are stranded due to the closure of airspace. Measures are underway to ensure their safe stay in Iraq and possible evacuation," he said.

The minister further added that the Crisis Management Unit (CMU) at the Foreign Office was operational 24/7 and can be reached out at +92 51-9207887 and [email protected].

"Our embassies in the region are closely coordinating all necessary efforts to support Pakistani nationals and Zaireens,” it was further posted," he assured.

Avoid travelling to Iran: travel advisory

Furthermore, the government has asked its citizens to avoid travelling to Iran for a limited period in light of recent Israeli attacks.

In its advisory issued for the citizens, the government said it is closely monitoring the situation and remains fully committed to the protection of its citizens.

In line with the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, necessary measures have already been initiated for the safe return of Pakistani nationals currently present in Iran, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a statement.

On the other hand, diplomatic sources claimed that thousands of Pakistani religious tourists and pilgrims were stranded in Iran and Iraq.

A Pakistani traveller said the only available emergency number of Pakistani embassy in Tehran was closed.

Whereas, the sources said the Pakistani ambassador to Iran was in Pakistan on leaves.

Moreover, the traveller said nobody was receiving the call on Pakistani embassy’s emergency numbers in Iraq as well.

The sources said the Pakistani embassy in Iraq was operating as usual. While, the Pakistani embassy in a notice said the embassy will remain closed on June 15 owing to a religious holiday. 

Israel struck Iranian nuclear and military facilities with a barrage of missiles on Friday, killing several top officials and prompting a counter-attack by Iran in one of the most serious escalations in recent memory. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's attack on its arch-rival would last "as many days" as needed, and cited Israeli intelligence that Tehran was approaching the "point of no return" on its nuclear programme.

Nine Iranian nuclear scientists, heads of Iran’s entire military and its Revolutionary Guards are among 215 killed in massive Israeli attacks. Tehran’s air defences also reportedly suffered a massive hit.

Iran has since launched multiple waves of salvoes on Israeli cities but only some missiles have hit targets, killing nearly 10 people.