ISLAMABAD: Islamabad has facilitated the evacuation of at least 450 Pakistani pilgrims from Iran and is arranging the safe return of more than 150 Pakistani students, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said, as Israel and Iran launched fresh attacks on each other overnight into Sunday, killing scores.
Thousands of Pakistani zaireen (pilgrims) travel annually to Iran and Iraq to visit holy sites. Many have been stranded since Friday when Israel launched a massive wave of attacks targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities but also hitting residential areas, sparking retaliation and fears of a broader regional conflict.
“Evacuation of 450 Pakistani zaireen from Iran has been facilitated as of yesterday,” Dar, who is also the deputy premier, said in a post on social media platform X.
“Arrangements are being made for the safe evacuation of Pakistani students (154 in the first batch) currently residing in Iran.”
Dar said Pakistan’s embassy in Iraq was also in touch with stranded Pakistani pilgrims after Iraq closed its airspace in response to the regional security situation.
“Measures are underway to ensure their safe stay in Iraq and possible evacuation,” the deputy prime minister said, adding that a crisis unit set up at the foreign ministry was operating around the clock.
“Our embassies in the region are closely coordinating all necessary efforts to support Pakistani nationals and zaireen,” Dar said.
Since Friday. Pakistan’s government has repeatedly urged its citizens to postpone travel to Iran and Iraq until the security situation improves.
On Saturday, Islamabad issued a formal travel advisory asking Pakistanis to avoid travel to Iran “for a limited period” due to the Israeli attacks.
Pakistan has condemned the Israeli strikes, calling them an unjustified violation of Iranian sovereignty, and has urged the international community to help de-escalate tensions through dialogue.
Iran has said at least 138 people have been killed in Israel’s onslaught since Friday, including 60 on Saturday, half of them children, when a missile brought down a 14-story apartment block in Tehran.
The Israeli military has warned Iranians living near weapons facilities to evacuate after both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Trump said Israel’s attacks would intensify, not abate.
