ISLAMABAD (HRNW): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has provided a comprehensive update on the safety and status of the Pakistani diaspora across the Middle East following the recent escalation in regional hostilities. Addressing the media, Dar emphasized that the government is working “round the clock” to facilitate those stranded by airspace closures and conflict, noting that approximately 4.5 million Pakistanis are currently living and working in Gulf countries. According to the official breakdown, Saudi Arabia remains home to the largest community with 2.5 million nationals where conditions are reported as stable, followed by 2.1 million in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where roughly 4,500 short-term visitors are currently facing travel disruptions. In Qatar, there are 350,000 Pakistanis with 1,400 temporary residents affected, while 134,064 reside in Bahrain, 102,000 in Kuwait, and 18,000 in Jordan.
The most critical situation remains in Iran, where approximately 35,000 Pakistanis—including 33,000 residents and numerous students and pilgrims—are located. The Deputy PM confirmed that emergency measures are being taken to ensure their safety, with nearly 800 individuals already repatriated through the Taftan and Gabd-Rimdan land borders. Facilitation centers have been established in Tehran, Zahedan, and Mashhad, while Baku, Azerbaijan, has been designated as a key evacuation base for those in northern Iran. A 24-hour Crisis Management Unit has been activated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate safe passage and provide assistance to families navigating the impact of the regional security crisis.
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