Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses the Federal Cabinet on February 4, 2026. SCREENGRAB
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting to review regional and national security issues, including the evacuation of Pakistani citizens from Iran amid escalating tensions following the US-Israeli attack on Iran.
The meeting was called following confirmation of the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – a development that was followed by nationwide protests
in Pakistan with at least 10 people dying in Karachi.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, the meeting took a detailed look at the regional situation, including steps to ensure peace and stability in the country and the wider region. “Afghanistan’s security situation was also closely examined,” it said.
“Officials were briefed on the country’s internal security arrangements and ongoing measures to protect Pakistani citizens abroad,” the statement added. On the instructions of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) gave a detailed briefing on the efforts to safely evacuate Pakistani nationals from Iran. “Evacuation will be facilitated through Azerbaijan to ensure the safe return of citizens,” the FO informed the meeting.
The meeting was attended by Defense Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Mohsin Naqvi, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and senior civil and military officials.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister also held a separate meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to discuss the overall situation of the country.
