Thousands of Pakistanis stranded in Iran for the past ten days due to the ongoing Middle East war are facing difficulties returning home because of a shortage of buses, it was reported on Monday.
According to the report, Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, Mudassir Tipu, said the shortage of transport had created obstacles for citizens seeking safe passage back to Pakistan.
In a statement issued on Monday, the ambassador confirmed that arrangements were being made to facilitate the safe return of Pakistani nationals from Iran.
The ambassador urged Pakistani citizens wishing to return to immediately register with the embassy so that authorities could plan their safe repatriation.
He said the embassy was facing difficulties in arranging buses and advised Pakistanis to promptly contact the diplomatic mission for assistance.
Tipu particularly called on Pakistani nationals currently residing in Qom to cooperate with embassy officials and get in touch regarding their return.
The Pakistani ambassador further stated that once the registration process is completed, a proper plan will be formulated to organise the return of Pakistani citizens.
More 149 Pakistani reach Taftan
Although thousands of Pakistanis have been stranded in Iran for the past ten days, the 24NewsHD TV channel also reported that another 149 Pakistanis, including pilgrims, businessmen and tourists, arrived at Taftan on Monday.
Deputy Commissioner Chagai Jahanzeb Noor Shahwani confirmed to the media that all possible facilities were being provided to returning citizens at Pakistan House in Taftan.
He added that the returning Pakistanis were being transported in convoys to Quetta after completing the necessary arrangements at the border reception facility.
Officials said that since the escalation of tensions between Iran and Israel, a total of 2,660 people have reached Pakistan through various border crossings.
It is pertinent to mention here that a total of 216 people, including 64 students, crossed into Pakistan through the Gabd-Rimdan border crossing and reached Gwadar a day earlier.
Gwadar Deputy Commissioner Naqeebullah Kakar said the group included two British nationals and one citizen of Oman.
Government sources also said that 312 people arrived at Taftan from Iran on the same day. The group included 173 Iranian truck drivers and two British citizens.
Officials added that the Iranian truck drivers would return to Iran after unloading their cargo.
