Crisis Management Cell Set Up to Oversee Evacuation Efforts Amid Regional Tensions
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed all relevant authorities to ensure the safety and swift return of Pakistani pilgrims currently in Iran, following Israel’s deadly airstrikes that have escalated tensions in the region.
In response to the evolving situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established a Crisis Management Cell to monitor developments and coordinate evacuation and support efforts. The Pakistani Embassy in Iran has been instructed to stay alert and provide full assistance to pilgrims on the ground.
The prime minister stressed the need for urgent and effective steps to safeguard all Pakistani citizens in Iran. He further ordered that every possible resource be deployed to facilitate their prompt and secure repatriation.
Until regional stability is restored, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Iran will remain on high alert to ensure continuous communication and support for the affected pilgrims.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also shared the embassy’s emergency contact number — (0098)-2166941388 — for Pakistanis needing assistance.
In an advisory issued earlier, the Foreign Office urged Pakistani Zaireen to reconsider travel to Iran and Iraq due to the deteriorating security landscape.
“Given the current circumstances, we have activated a 24/7 Crisis Management Unit (CMU) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the safety and well-being of our nationals and Zaireen in Iran,” Dar announced on X (formerly Twitter).
