Pakistan warns citizens against traveling to Iran as Tehran's conflict with Israel intensifies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's government this week warned its nationals against traveling to Iran 'for a limited period,' state-run media reported, amid Tehran's worsening conflict with Israel.
Israel and Iran launched fresh attacks on each other overnight into Sunday, stoking fears of a wider conflict after Israel expanded its surprise campaign against its main rival with a strike on the world's biggest gas field.
Israel's military said more missiles were launched from Iran toward Israel overnight, with direct strikes targeting its energy industry and Defense Ministry headquarters, while Tehran unleashed a fresh barrage of missiles blamed for the deaths of four people. The strikes late Saturday night represented the latest salvo since a surprise attack by Israel on Friday aimed at decimating Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program.
'The Government of Pakistan has issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid traveling to Iran for a limited period due to the recent Israeli attacks,' the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Saturday.
APP reported that the government is closely monitoring the situation in the region. Citing officials, it said that the latest advisory has been issued to ensure the safety and security of Pakistani nationals.
'In line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's directives, necessary steps are already being taken to ensure the safe return of Pakistani citizens currently in Iran,' APP said.
Pakistan on Friday advised its citizens planning religious travel to Iran and Iraq to reconsider their plans, citing security concerns after Israel launched strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities earlier in the day.
That advisory mentioned Pakistani 'Zaireen,' or Shia Muslim pilgrims who travel to Iran and Iraq to visit sacred religious sites, particularly in Mashhad, Qom, Najaf and Karbala.
Pakistan's foreign ministry has established a 24/7 Crisis Management Unit to ensure the safety and security of Pakistani nationals and pilgrims in Iran.
Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday vowed Islamabad would extend diplomatic support to Israel at international forums.
Pakistan has condemned Israel's strikes against Iran and said Tehran has the right to defend itself. Islamabad has also called on world powers to intervene through dialogue and diplomacy to resolve surging Middle East tensions.
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