PM Shehbaz chairs security moot,orders repatriation of Pakistanis in Iran via Azerbaijan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairing a meeting. Photo: APP/ File
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to liaise with the Azerbaijani government to safely evacuate Pakistanis from Iran as tensions in the Middle East edge towards a wider conflict.
The directive was issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister to review the country's overall security situation.
He instructed all relevant federal and provincial institutions to ensure prompt and comprehensive security measures in view of the prevailing situation, while emphasising the need for mutual coordination and complete coherence in fulfilling their responsibilities.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیر صدارت ملک میں مجموعی سیکیورٹی صورتحال پر اعلیٰ سطحی جائزہ اجلاس
اجلاس میں وزیر اعظم نے ہدایت کی کہ پاکستانیوں کو آذر بائیجان کے ذریعے بحفاظت پاکستان لایا جائے۔ اور وزیراعظم نے اس سلسلے میں، وزارت خارجہ کو آذربائیجان کی حکومت سے فوری رابطہ کرنے… pic.twitter.com/fDsCfmPiQ4As the crisis unfolded, the prime minister asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the safe return of Pakistanis in Iran via Azerbaijan and to contact the Azerbaijani authorities in this regard immediately.
PM Shehbaz said the people and armed forces of Pakistan were always ready to protect the country’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The armed forces are performing their duties to the best of their ability with national spirit,” he added.
He said the entire nation saluted the security forces for their sacrifices in the war against terrorism.
Read: Karachi airport becomes hub for diverted Gulf flights amid escalating Mideast conflict
During the meeting, the prime minister was informed that all security institutions were on alert and that all necessary measures were being taken to ensure the country’s security.
The development comes after the US and Israel launched attacks across Iran earlier today, killing 201 and injuring over 700, creating chaos across the country.
In response, Iran launched strikes across the Middle East. Apparent Iranian attacks were reported in Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, and Kuwait — locations hosting US military bases or allied to the United States.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is preoccupied with its own 'Operation Ghazab Lil Haq’ against the Afghan Taliban following the breakout of active conflict at the border.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that as of 9pm today, at least 352 Afghan Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan fighters and other terrorists had been killed, with more than 535 wounded.
He said Pakistani forces destroyed 130 Taliban posts, seized 26 others and disabled 171 tanks and armoured personnel carriers. Air strikes were carried out at 41 locations inside Afghanistan, he added.
Pakistani officials said the operation was aimed at armed groups aligned with the Afghan Taliban, whom Islamabad accuses of mounting repeated cross-border attacks.