Islamabad:
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, ISHAQ Dar, presided over a high -level meeting on Wednesday to review the current evacuation efforts for Pakistani citizens currently stranded in Iran and Iraq.
Dar was informed about the progress made so far and on the next evacuation plans. Expressing satisfaction for efforts, he ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to accelerate the return of all the remaining citizens.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with other departments, will accelerate the repatriation of Pakistani citizens and will provide all assistance to those who are still present in Iran and Iraq,” he said.
Vice Minister Vice Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @Mishaqdar50Today he presided over a meeting to review the ongoing evacuation of Pakistani/Zaireen citizens currently stranded in Iran and Iraq. The meeting was attended by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and other senior … pic.twitter.com/i7x8vqnu6l
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeforeignEffick) June 18, 2025
The meeting, which was attended by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and senior officials, focused on rationalizing repatriation logistics in increasing regional tensions.
He also instructed Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to guarantee a soft and efficient evacuation process.
Meanwhile, Pakistan began to repatriate more than 400 of his nationals stranded in Iraq, authorities said Wednesday, while special flights transport pilgrims back home in the midst of continuous regional instability.
According to a spokesman for the Pakistani embassy in Iraq, they will take Karachi and Islamabad through 415 Pakistani pilgrims to Karachi and Islamabad through special airways flights. “The return process is underway, and two more flights will work today and tomorrow,” confirmed the official.
Also read: Pakistan remembers diplomats, non -essential staff from Tehran
In the holy city of Najaf, arrangements for temporary accommodation and three daily meals have been made for around 250 pilgrims waiting for their return. The Pakistani mission has also secured traffic facilities for those who travel through Kuwait.
“All efforts are being made to guarantee the safe, dignified and fast return of the Pakistani pilgrims of Iraq,” said the embassy in a statement. “We remain in close coordination with the Iraqi airways to facilitate the return of as many pilgrims as possible.”
To help affected citizens, the embassy has established a dedicated aid line and a WhatsApp group. Pilgrims who need help can contact officials through +964 783 495 0311.
The authorities also confirmed that similar repatriation flights will be launched for the Pakistani in Iran, with plans to take them home through Iraq.
Read more: FO confirms a safe return of 268 Pakistani of Iraq
A total of 78 Pakistani, including 47 students, returned to Pakistan across the Taftan border, which increases the total number of repatriated citizens to 1,200. Pakistani citizens, who mainly comprise pilgrims, were stranded in Iran due to the ongoing conflict of Israel-Iran.
A day before, Pakistan has also remembered some of his diplomats, non-essential personnel and their families in Tehran due to the growing conflict of Israel-Iran and the changing regional situation.
According to a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the movement was promoted by the current war and the main tensions in the region. However, the official clarified that the Pakistani Embassy and Consulate in Tehran will continue their operations.
The official also confirmed that personnel members identified as non -essential have received instructions to return to Pakistan along with their families. Arrangements have been made to facilitate the safe return of the staff.
