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Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan has evacuated 450 pilgrims from Iran so far: Dar
ISLAMABAD: In response to the deteriorating security situation in the region, Pakistan has evacuated 450 pilgrims from Iran and is working to assist others still stranded, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Dar said that the evacuation of Pakistani Zaireen (pilgrims) was carried out on Saturday, and efforts are currently underway to arrange the safe return of 154 Pakistani students who remain in Iran. He added that the Pakistani Embassy in Iraq is actively engaged with pilgrims stranded there due to the closure of airspace. 'Measures are being taken to ensure their safety and arrange possible evacuation,' Dar assured. The Foreign minister also stated that the Crisis Management Unit (CMU) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is fully operational and available 24/7 to assist Pakistani nationals in distress. Citizens can contact the CMU via phone at +92 51-9207887 or by email at [email protected]. 'Our embassies in the region are closely coordinating all necessary efforts to support Pakistani nationals and Zaireen,' he said. Amid rising tensions following Israeli air strikes, the government has issued a temporary travel advisory, urging citizens to avoid travel to Iran and Iraq. The Foreign Office advised all Pakistani pilgrims to reconsider their travel plans to both countries due to the evolving security environment. Officials emphasized that the government is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to the protection and well-being of its citizens. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed all relevant departments to provide full assistance for the safe return of Pakistani pilgrims currently in Iran. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan plans repatriation of stranded students and pilgrims in Iran and Iraq
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said hundreds of Zaireen evacuated from Iran and Iraq so far. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN Listen to article Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has confirmed that, in light of the current regional situation, the government is taking all necessary measures to ensure the welfare and safety of Pakistani nationals. Speaking on Sunday, Mr Dar said the evacuation of 450 Pakistani pilgrims from Iran was successfully completed the previous day. He added that arrangements were also being made to safely evacuate Pakistani students residing in Iran, with the first phase involving the return of 154 students. In neighbouring Iraq, Pakistani pilgrims remain stranded due to airspace closures. Mr Dar assured that Pakistan's embassy in Iran is in constant contact with those affected, and efforts are underway to ensure their safe accommodation and potential evacuation. A 24-hour Crisis Management Unit (CMU) is active at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist Pakistani nationals. The CMU can be reached at +92 51-9207887 or via email at cmu1@ Pakistan's embassies in the region are closely monitoring the situation and are fully engaged in providing assistance and overseeing the safe repatriation of citizens.
Arab News
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan says 450 pilgrims evacuated from Iran amid ongoing Israeli attacks
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday that Islamabad has facilitated the evacuation of 450 pilgrims from Iran and is making further arrangements to evacuate Pakistani students in the neighboring country, amid ongoing attacks by Israel. Thousands of Pakistani 'Zaireen' or Shia Muslim pilgrims travel to Iran and Iraq to visit sacred religious sites, particularly in Mashhad, Qom, Najaf and Karbala at different times of the year. Pakistan's government on Friday advised its citizens planning religious travel to Iran and Iraq to reconsider their plans, citing security concerns as Israel attacked Iran's nuclear facilities and targeted its military leadership. Both countries have attacked each other for three continuous days since with missiles and air strikes, escalating fears of a wider conflict breaking out in the Middle East. 'Evacuation of 450 Pakistani Zaireen from Iran has been facilitated as of yesterday,' Dar wrote 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,' he added. Dar said Pakistan's embassy in Iraq is in contact with Pakistani pilgrims who are stranded there due to the closure of the country's airspace. 'Measures are underway to ensure their safe stay in Iraq and possible evacuation,' he said. The minister said the Crisis Management Unit at Pakistan's foreign ministry was operational throughout the 24 hours of the day to ensure the safety and security of Pakistanis in Iran. 'Our embassies in the region are closely coordinating all necessary efforts to support Pakistani nationals & Zaireens,' he concluded. Pakistan's government on Saturday issued a travel advisory, urging its citizens to avoid traveling to Iran for 'a limited period' due to the recent Israeli attacks. 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. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday vowed Islamabad would extend diplomatic support to Israel at international forums.
Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan evacuates citizens from Iran, Iraq amid regional tensions, sets up 24/7 crisis unit
Following the recent surge in regional instability, Pakistan has launched a swift evacuation operation to ensure the safety of its citizens abroad, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced in a detailed update on social media. The government has already facilitated the return of 450 Pakistani pilgrims from Iran, with the first group arriving home yesterday. Authorities are now making arrangements to evacuate 154 Pakistani students currently residing in Iran, prioritizing their safe return amid growing security concerns. In Iraq, where airspace closures have left many stranded, the Pakistani Embassy in Baghdad is actively monitoring the situation and providing support to affected pilgrims. Officials are working to ensure temporary shelter and logistical assistance while exploring options for their eventual evacuation. To streamline emergency response efforts, Pakistan's Foreign Office has activated its 24/7 Crisis Management Unit (CMU), offering round-the-clock assistance to families seeking information about loved ones. The CMU can be reached at +92 51-9207887 or via email at [email protected]. In his statement, Foreign Minister Dar emphasized that Pakistani embassies across the region are closely coordinating all necessary measures to assist nationals. 'In light of the evolving regional situation, the Government of Pakistan is taking necessary measures for the welfare and safety of Pakistani nationals,' he said, underscoring Islamabad's commitment to citizen security.
Arab News
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan PM vows crackdown on human smugglers after four citizens die in Libya boat tragedy
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday vowed strong action against human smugglers who entice Pakistani nationals with promises of better economic prospects abroad, risking their lives at sea, as the country confirmed the deaths of four citizens in a boat tragedy off the coast of Libya. Sharif's remarks came after officials confirmed that a migrant vessel had sunk off Libya's Harawa coast, leaving at least 11 people dead, including four Pakistani nationals. Pakistan's diplomatic mission in Tripoli said the victims were identified through national documents recovered from the scene. 'Deeply saddened by reports from our Mission in Tripoli of yet another boat capsizing incident off the Harawa coast near Sirte City, Eastern Libya, in which at least four Pakistanis have been confirmed dead out of 11 casualties,' the prime minister said in a post on social media. 'Our Mission and the Foreign Office are working with the local authorities to retrieve the remains of the deceased,' he added. 'While we are taking strong action against those responsible for luring our citizens into this death trap, we will continue to come down hard against such elements so no family has to carry the coffins of their loved ones in such accidents.' Deeply saddened by reports from our Mission in Tripoli of yet another boat capsizing incident off the Harawa coast near Sirte City, Eastern Libya, in which at least four Pakistanis have been confirmed dead out of 11 casualties. Our Mission and the Foreign Office are working with… — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 16, 2025 The foreign office identified the victims as Zahid Mehmood from Gujranwala and Sameer Ali, Syed Ali Hussain and Asad Ali from Mandi Bahauddin in eastern Pakistan after the tragedy. Two additional bodies recovered from the shipwreck remain unidentified, officials said, as the Crisis Management Unit at the foreign ministry continues to monitor the situation. Each year, thousands of Pakistanis embark on perilous journeys across land and sea in search of work in Europe, often falling prey to human smugglers who arrange illegal crossings for large sums of money. The Libya route remains one of the most trafficked and dangerous passages. In February, Libyan authorities recovered the bodies of at least 16 Pakistani nationals after a similar boat tragedy off the coast near Zawiya city, with nearly 10 others reported missing. Last year, over 260 Pakistanis drowned when an overcrowded vessel sank off the coast of Pylos, Greece, one of the deadliest Mediterranean disasters in recent history. Pakistani authorities have since intensified efforts to dismantle trafficking networks, arresting several agents and cracking down on operations that facilitate such illegal migration.
