ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has evacuated 450 pilgrims from Iran as tensions escalate sharply in the Middle East following deadly Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites. The government is also preparing to bring back 154 Pakistani students currently stranded in Iran, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Taking to X, Dar shared: “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.”
In light of the evolving regional situation, the Government of Pakistan is taking necessary measures for the welfare and safety of Pakistani nationals:
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 15, 2025
– Evacuation of 450 Pakistani
Zaireen from Iran has been facilitated as of yesterday.
– Arrangements are being made for the…
He added that the Crisis Management Unit (CMU) at the Foreign Office is active round-the-clock and can be reached at +92 51-9207887 or [email protected]. “Our embassies in the region are closely coordinating all necessary efforts to support Pakistani nationals and Zaireens,” he wrote.
The government has also issued a travel advisory, urging citizens to avoid visiting Iran temporarily due to the deteriorating security situation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stated that it is “closely monitoring the situation and remains fully committed to the protection of its citizens.” It confirmed that under the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, “necessary measures have already been initiated for the safe return of Pakistani nationals currently present in Iran.”
However, despite these assurances, several Pakistani travellers have expressed concerns over embassy response times. A citizen in Tehran reported that the listed emergency number of the Pakistani embassy was unresponsive. Diplomatic sources revealed that the Pakistani ambassador to Iran is currently on leave and in Pakistan. Meanwhile, the Pakistani embassy in Iraq issued a notice stating it would be closed on June 15 due to a religious holiday.
The urgency stems from a major escalation between Israel and Iran. On Friday, Israeli forces launched a large-scale missile assault on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure, reportedly killing over 200 individuals including senior Revolutionary Guard commanders and nine nuclear scientists. Iran’s air defence systems were also hit hard.
Iran has since retaliated with several missile salvos targeting Israeli cities. While many were intercepted, a few hit civilian areas, reportedly killing nearly 10 people.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the operation against Iran would continue “for as many days as needed,” citing intelligence that Tehran was nearing a critical stage in its nuclear ambitions.
The Pakistani government says it remains focused on safeguarding its nationals amid the crisis, with embassies and the Foreign Office on alert for further evacuations if necessary.
For emergency assistance:
📞 +92 51-9207887
📧 [email protected]