March 2, 2026
By Rehan Piracha
LAHORE
Pakistan has evacuated more than 650 nationals from Iran over two days as the country scrambles to secure the safety of its citizens following joint United States-Israel strikes on Iranian targets and retaliatory Iranian attacks on US bases in Gulf states.
The bulk of those evacuated are students, according to Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tehran, Muhammad Muddasir Tipu, who confirmed the operation in a post on X on Monday. “We are guiding and facilitating every Pakistani national seeking our advice on a variety of issues amidst a complex security environment,” he wrote, thanking Iranian and Azerbaijani border authorities for their cooperation in what he described as “a complex and multi-tiered operation.”
Ambassador Tipu also acknowledged round-the-clock support from Balochistan’s government, border authorities, and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Land and air routes activated
On the ground, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti — whose province shares a border with Iran — confirmed that the repatriation process was underway, with immigration officials deployed around the clock at border crossing points. “So far, more than 70 Pakistani citizens have returned from Iran to their homeland,” he said.
In a parallel effort, Pakistan designated Baku as an evacuation transit hub for nationals unable to return through land routes. On Sunday, 31 Pakistani citizens were escorted across the border at Astara and moved onward to the Azerbaijani capital. “Under directives of the Prime Minister and guidance of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, the Government of Pakistan has designated Baku as the evacuation base for Pakistani nationals seeking safe transit amid the evolving situation in Iran,” the Pakistani Embassy in Azerbaijan said.
There are over 3,000 Pakistani students enrolled in medical and non-medical institutions across Iran, according to Ambassador Tipu, underscoring the scale of the consular challenge facing Islamabad.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level security meeting on Saturday to assess the situation following the US-Israel strikes, which killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — a development that has sparked violent protests inside Pakistan. Sharif directed authorities to prioritise the safe evacuation of all Pakistani nationals from Iran via Azerbaijan.
Pakistan Embassy in UAE sets up facilitation desks
Pakistan’s Embassy in Abu Dhabi has also launched a community outreach initiative for the estimated Pakistani diaspora in the United Arab Emirates, where Iranian retaliatory strikes have caused flight disruptions and airport closures. The embassy has established facilitation desks in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, operating around the clock, and has launched an online registration form for Pakistani nationals in transit or in need of consular assistance.
“The information provided will help the Embassy coordinate with relevant authorities and airlines to extend necessary assistance,” the embassy said in a statement.
Crisis Unit activated
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has activated its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) to monitor the rapidly deteriorating situation across the Middle East and Persian Gulf, and to extend assistance to Pakistani nationals abroad.
The wider regional crisis was triggered on Saturday when the United States and Israel launched what they described as a “pre-emptive” joint strike against Iranian targets. President Donald Trump announced the start of “major combat operations.” Iran has since launched retaliatory attacks against US targets in Gulf countries, including the UAE, sharply escalating fears of a broader regional conflict.