A total of 5,615 Pakistani citizens have returned home from Iran between February 28 and last night through the Gwadar and Chagai districts as authorities continue efforts to evacuate nationals stranded amid escalating regional tensions, it was reported on Tuesday.
According to the report, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti confirmed in a message on social media platform X (Twitter) that thousands of Pakistanis had re-entered the country via the two border districts.
CM Balochistan also confirmed that 431 foreign nationals, including 2,117 Iranian drivers, also crossed into Pakistan during the same period.
He said that the district administrations of Gwadar and Chagai ensured special care for all passengers, providing them with the best possible facilities and assistance to help them reach their destinations safely.
Bugti added that the Balochistan government remains fully active and vigilant at both border crossing points to ensure the convenience, safety and comfort of all incoming travellers.
Earlier, on March 12, 24NewsHD TV channel reported that the return of Pakistanis stranded in Iran continued steadily, with 114 more individuals, including 21 students, arriving home on the eleventh day of the repatriation process.
According to Deputy Commissioner Gwadar Naqeebullah Kakar, the total number of returning Pakistanis over the previous 11 days had reached 1,235. He noted that the figure included 351 students.
A day earlier, the channel reported that the repatriation process had continued for the tenth consecutive day, with 111 Pakistanis, including 15 students, returning via the Gabd-Rimdan border crossing.
Among them were 48 businessmen and eight seamen. The official added that a total of 1,121 Pakistanis, including 330 students, had returned during the first 10 days of the operation.
The flow of returning citizens began after the outbreak of conflict involving Iran following military action by the United States and Israel in the final days of February, which left thousands of foreign nationals, including Pakistanis, stranded in the region.
Soon after the situation escalated, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to ensure the safe and swift return of all Pakistani citizens stuck in Iran.
