Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered urgent steps to ensure the safe return of around 5,000 Pakistani pilgrims currently in Iran amid rising regional tensions following Israel’s attacks.
In response, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced the formation of a 24/7 Crisis Management Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to oversee the repatriation and safety efforts.
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The Pakistani Embassy in Tehran has been put on high alert, with instructions to fully assist citizens and pilgrims. A hotline (+98 21 6694 1388) has also been activated for emergencies.
The Foreign Office has urged Pakistani citizens to avoid traveling to Iran and Iraq at this time. Many pilgrims reportedly remain unregistered with embassies, making it harder to locate and assist them during crises.