https://arab.news/wnjff
- Pakistan鈥檚 embassy in Tehran, consulates will continue to remain functional, confirms official
- Israel and Iran have been locked in conflict since last Friday, trading missiles and air strikes聽
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has started evacuating families of its diplomats and staff, as well as members of some non-essential staff from Iran, a senior foreign ministry official confirmed on Tuesday as Tehran鈥檚 military conflict with Israel intensifies.
Thousands of residents of Iran鈥檚 capital Tehran are reportedly fleeing their homes and stockpiling essential supplies out of fear that Israel will intensify its strikes against regional foe Iran in the coming days.
Iran and Israel have been locked in military conflict since Friday when the latter attacked the former鈥檚 nuclear facilities and military leadership in a bid to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. Israel鈥檚 strikes have killed at least 224 people in Iran while Tehran has retaliated by launching more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel and more than 500 wounded.
鈥淭he foreign ministry is moving out families of diplomats and staff and some non-essential staff from Iran,鈥� the official, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to media, said in a statement.
鈥淗owever Pakistan embassy in Tehran and our consulates will continue to remain functional.鈥�
Pakistan has been repatriating hundreds of its citizens from Iran and Iraq since the conflict began last week. Thousands of Pakistani zaireen (pilgrims) travel annually to Iran and Iraq to visit holy sites there. Many were left stranded since Friday as airspaces closed following Israel鈥檚 attacks.
Pakistan repatriated 268 nationals from Iraq via two flights on Monday while on Sunday, it evacuated 450 nationals from Iran.
Pakistan has condemned Israel鈥檚 strikes, calling them an unjustified violation of Iranian sovereignty, and has urged the international community to help de-escalate tensions through dialogue.