The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that evacuation efforts for Pakistani nationals in Iran are ongoing, with nearly 3,000 citizens safely repatriated amid escalating tensions.
The Pakistani embassy in Tehran is playing an active role in facilitating the evacuation process, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said during a weekly press briefing.
Commenting on the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, Khan stated that Pakistan strongly condemns Israeli aggression against Iran, describing it as a blatant violation of the United Nations Charter and international law.
The international community must bring Israel to justice, he added.
He stressed that negotiations are the only viable path to resolving the crisis.
“The attack on Iran is a direct assault on its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said, adding that 21 Muslim countries have jointly denounced the Israeli actions through a unified declaration, labelling them contrary to international norms.
Khan reiterated that Iran, as a sovereign state, has the full right to defend itself under international law.
He described Iran as a close friend, neighbour, and strategic partner of Pakistan, and assured that Islamabad remains in continuous contact with Tehran at all levels.
On the broader regional front, Khan revealed that Pakistan and the European Union recently held talks on nuclear non-proliferation.
He also expressed serious concerns over human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
He condemned the denial of Eid prayers at Srinagar’s Jamia Mosque and Eidgah, calling it a violation of religious freedom.
He further criticised the continued detention of the occupied Kashmir’s political leadership, calling the situation deeply troubling.
Turning to global narratives, Khan dismissed recent statements from Canadian intelligence agencies about Pakistan as “unsurprising and irresponsible,” emphasizing that Pakistan has been a consistent victim of terrorism.
He reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding and deep relations with the United States and welcomed Washington’s remarks supporting the ceasefire between Pakistan and India.
Addressing speculations around regime change in Iran, the Foreign Office categorically rejected such claims as baseless rumours.
Khan affirmed that Iran has remained in ongoing contact with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), underscoring Tehran’s commitment to nuclear transparency.