Islamabad/Tehran – Thousands of Pakistani nationals stranded in Iran for the past ten days due to the ongoing Middle East war are facing significant delays in their safe return home, primarily because of a critical shortage of buses, officials confirmed on Monday.
According to a report by 24NewsHD, Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, Mudassir Tipu, acknowledged that the lack of transport has created major obstacles for citizens desperately seeking safe passage back to Pakistan.
In an official statement issued on Monday, the ambassador confirmed that while arrangements are being made to facilitate the return, the process is hampered by logistical challenges.
Urgent Call to Register
Ambassador Tipu urged all Pakistani citizens wishing to return to immediately register with the embassy. This registration is crucial for authorities to compile data and plan an organized, safe repatriation.
He made a particular appeal to Pakistani nationals currently residing in the holy city of Qom to cooperate with embassy officials and get in touch without delay.
“Once the registration process is completed, a proper plan will be formulated to organise the return of Pakistani citizens,” the ambassador stated.
Steady Flow at the Border
Despite the transport bottlenecks deeper inside Iran, the flow of returnees at the border continues. The 24NewsHD TV channel also reported that another 149 Pakistanis, including pilgrims, businessmen, and tourists, arrived at the Taftan border crossing on Monday.
Deputy Commissioner Chagai Jahanzeb Noor Shahwani confirmed that all possible facilities are being provided to returning citizens at Pakistan House in Taftan. He added that the returnees are being transported in convoys to Quetta after completing necessary formalities at the border reception facility.
Repatriation Numbers Rise
Officials stated that since the escalation of tensions between Iran and Israel, a total of 2,660 people have reached Pakistan through various border crossings.
This includes a group of 216 people—among them 64 students, two British nationals, and one Omani citizen—who crossed into Pakistan through the Gabd-Rimdan border crossing and reached Gwadar a day earlier, confirmed Gwadar Deputy Commissioner Naqeebullah Kakar.
Government sources also noted that on the same day, 312 people arrived at Taftan from Iran, a group that included 173 Iranian truck drivers and two British citizens. Officials added that the Iranian truck drivers are expected to return to Iran after unloading their cargo.
