Pakistani nationals crossing back from Iran have shared harrowing accounts of the chaos and fear they experienced as missile strikes rocked Iranian cities over the weekend. Many were seen hauling heavy suitcases through the remote border post between Iran’s Mirjaveh and Pakistan’s Taftan, located in the rugged Balochistan province. The sudden escalation in violence, triggered by US and Israeli airstrikes, forced thousands to abandon their plans and rush to safety.
Journalists stationed at the border observed a continuous stream of people passing through the large metal gates, some on foot and others with freight trucks queued for hours. The Taftan crossing, situated roughly 500 kilometers from Quetta, has become a critical exit point for Pakistanis stranded in Iran amid the turmoil. The atmosphere was tense, with Iranian soldiers standing guard and the national flag flying at half-mast, underscoring the gravity of the situation inside Iran.
One trader, 38-year-old Ameer Muhammad, described the overwhelming influx of Pakistanis arriving from Tehran and other Iranian cities. He explained how the sudden surge led to severe transportation bottlenecks, making it difficult for many to reach the border promptly. “All our Pakistani brothers who were in Tehran and other cities had started to leave and were arriving at the terminal, which caused a lot of crowd pressure,” he said, highlighting the logistical challenges faced by those trying to escape.
Meanwhile, Irshad Ahmed, a 49-year-old pilgrim, recounted his terrifying experience while staying at a hostel in Tehran. He witnessed multiple missile launches near a nearby army base, which intensified the urgency to evacuate. “There was an army base near the hostel, and we saw many missiles being fired,” he recalled. Following the attacks, he and others sought assistance from the Pakistani embassy, which coordinated their safe passage to Pakistan through the Taftan border.
On the diplomatic front, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, labeling it a breach of international law. He emphasized the long-standing global norm that heads of state should not be targeted during conflicts. Expressing solidarity, the Prime Minister conveyed Pakistan’s condolences to the Iranian people, describing the incident as a moment of shared grief and sorrow between the two nations.
Inside Tehran, the situation remained volatile but initially appeared manageable. Saqib, a 38-year-old teacher working at the Pakistani embassy in Tehran, noted that conditions were relatively stable before the missile strikes on Saturday night. However, the sudden attacks, which resulted in casualties, forced embassy staff and Pakistani nationals alike to hasten their departure. “Before we left, the situation was normal. The situation was not that bad,” he said. “The situation became bad on Saturday night, when attacks caused precious lives to be lost.”
The unfolding crisis has not only disrupted lives but also highlighted the precarious position of foreign nationals caught in conflict zones. The Taftan border crossing now serves as a vital lifeline for Pakistanis seeking refuge from the escalating violence in Iran, as authorities on both sides work to manage the influx amid ongoing uncertainty.
