PNN: A total of 5,615 Pakistani citizens have returned from Iran since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict on February 28, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said on Tuesday.
In a statement shared on his official account on X, the chief minister said the return of citizens took place through the border districts of Gwadar and Chagai.
He added that, during the same period, 2,117 Iranian drivers and 431 other foreign nationals also entered Pakistan via these crossings.
Mr Bugti said the district administrations of Gwadar and Chagai have been actively facilitating travellers, ensuring their safe transit and providing necessary assistance upon arrival.
“The government of Balochistan remains fully committed to ensuring smooth transit at border points and safeguarding the welfare of returning citizens,” he said.
The movement comes against the backdrop of an ongoing regional conflict involving Iran, with hostilities continuing for a third consecutive week. Iranian forces have reportedly launched retaliatory strikes in response to attacks attributed to the United States and Israel across various parts of the Middle East.
The situation has also impacted global trade routes, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz contributing to increased volatility in international financial and energy markets.