Pakistan says 35,000 nationals still stranded in Iran as evacuations continue

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that 33,000 Pakistanis remain in Iran as the closure of Iranian and Gulf air routes has left passengers from several countries, including Pakistan, stranded.

Speaking at a media briefing, Dar said one Pakistani was killed after a missile fell in Abu Dhabi. He added that around 40,000 Pakistanis are currently in Iraq, a large number of them pilgrims. In Qatar, about 350,000 Pakistanis are residing, while 1,450 people are there on visit visas.

Dar said approximately 300 Iranian nationals have arrived in Pakistan, while 792 Pakistanis have so far returned from Iran. He added that 64 Pakistanis have reached Azerbaijan from Iran.

He said air routes in Iran and most Gulf countries remain closed, stranding travellers from multiple nations. Land routes in Gulf states are open, but travel by road is time-consuming. Except for Oman and Saudi Arabia, most air corridors remain suspended, he added.

Dar thanked the government of Azerbaijan for facilitating the evacuation of Pakistani nationals, saying flights are operating from Baku and Pakistanis have been evacuated through that route.

He further said that around 2.5 million Pakistanis are living in Saudi Arabia and noted that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a defence agreement. “The outcome is visible to everyone — Iran carried out the fewest attacks in Saudi Arabia and Oman,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Mudassir Tipu, said contact has been established with Pakistanis in Bandar Abbas, where heavy shelling is ongoing and buses are not operating.

“We are arranging private vehicles to help them cross the border,” the ambassador said, adding that all individuals would be evacuated by today or tomorrow.

He said 850 Pakistanis have so far been sent back from Iran and urged citizens to make decisions keeping security considerations in mind.