ISLAMABAD: A senior foreign office official has revealed that an estimated 5,000 Pakistani pilgrims are currently in Iran.
Responding to queries about the safety of Pakistani pilgrims amid Israeli attacks on Iran, the official said the number of pilgrims traveling to the country fluctuates, and most do not contact the diplomatic missions.
“Currently, there are an estimated 5,000 Zaireen (Pilgrims) in Iran,” the official said.
In light of the current security situation in the region, the pilgrims are advised to reconsider travel plans to Iran and Iraq.
According to the official, the Pakistan Embassy in Tehran and consulates remain available to assist and facilitate Pakistani nationals in Iran.
“Any Pakistani requiring guidance or support is encouraged to contact our relevant diplomatic missions, which will, as always, provide necessary assistance and facilitate their return to Pakistan,” the official said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had directed urgent and effective measures to ensure the safety and secure return of Pakistani pilgrims currently in Iran.
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This follows rising tensions in the region after Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites earlier today.
The Israeli attack targeted locations near Isfahan and Natanz, heightening regional instability and raising concerns about possible retaliatory actions and a wider conflict. The attack marks one of the most direct confrontations between Israel and Iran in years, further destabilising a region already troubled by conflicts.
In response, the Prime Minister instructed all relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan’s diplomatic missions in Iran, to use every available resource to protect Pakistani nationals and prevent any danger to their lives.
Following the Prime Minister’s directive, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a Crisis Management Cell to monitor the situation and coordinate emergency response efforts.
