Islamabad:
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq DAR chaired a high -level meeting on Wednesday to review the ongoing evacuation effort for Pakistani nationals who are currently stranded in Iran and Iraq.
DAR was informed of the progress made so far and about upcoming evacuation plans. When he expressed satisfaction over the efforts, he instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to accelerate the return of all remaining citizens.
“The Foreign Office, in coordination with other departments, must accelerate the repatriation of Pakistani citizens and provide all help to those still present in Iran and Iraq,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @Mishaqdar50Today was the chairman of a meeting to review the ongoing evacuation of Pakistani nationals/Zaireen is currently stranded in Iran & Iraq. The meeting attended the Foreign Secretary and other senior … pic.twitter.com/i7x8vqnu6l
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficepk) June 18, 2025
The meeting attended by the Foreign Secretary and High -ranking Officers focused on streamlining Repatriation Logistics in the midst of escalating regional tensions.
He also instructed Pakistan International Airlines (Pia) to work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure a smooth and effective evacuation process.
Meanwhile, Pakistan began to repatriate over 400 of his citizens stranded in Iraq, officials said Wednesday as special flights transport pilgrims at home in the middle of the ongoing regional instability.
According to a spokesman for the Pakistani Embassy in Iraq, 415 Pakistani Pilgrims will be flown to Karachi and Islamabad through special Iraqi respiratory flights. “The return process is underway and two more flights are working today and tomorrow,” the official confirmed.
ALSO READ: Pakistan remembers diplomats, non-essential staff from Tehran
In the Holy City of Najaf, events have been made for temporary accommodation and three daily meals for about 250 pilgrims waiting for their return. The Pakistani mission has also secured transit facilities for those traveling via Kuwait.
“All efforts are made to ensure that Pakistani Pilgrims from Iraq are safe, worthy and rapid return from Iraq,” the embassy said in a statement. “We remain in close coordination with Iraqi airways to facilitate the return of as many pilgrims as possible.”
To help the affected citizens, the embassy has set up a dedicated auxiliary line and WhatsApp group. Pilgrims in need of help can contact officials via +964 783 495 0311.
Officials also confirmed that similar repatriation flights will be launched for Pakistanis in Iran with plans to bring them home via Iraq.
Read more: FO confirms a safe return of 268 Pakistanis from Iraq
A total of 78 Pakistanis, including 47 students, returned to Pakistan through the Taftan border and raised the total number of repatriated citizens to 1,200. The Pakistani citizens who mostly consist of pilgrims were stranded in Iran because of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.
A day earlier, Pakistan has also remembered some of his diplomats, non-essential staff and their families from Tehran because of the escalating Israel-Iran-Iran conflict and the changed regional situation.
According to a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the move was asked for the ongoing war and increased tensions in the region. However, the official clarified that the Pakistani Embassy and the Consulate in Tehran will continue their operations.
The official also confirmed that the employees identified as non-essential have been asked to return to Pakistan with their families. Events have been made to facilitate the staff’s safe return.
