Hundreds of Pakistani students are making a harrowing return from Iran, fleeing a rapidly escalating conflict following joint US-Israeli strikes that reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The death toll in Iran has now surpassed 1,045, according to Iranian authorities. Students described hearing loud explosions in Tehran before scrambling to evacuate The conflict has intensified with Iran launching retaliatory attacks and NATO forces reportedly downing an Iranian ballistic missile heading towards Turkiye.
Pakistan has initiated an emergency repatriation effort, with nearly 1,000 citizens, including over 400 students, returning via the Taftan and Gabd-Rimdan land borders in Balochistan Students recounted a deeply distressing 20-hour bus journey through central Iranian cities, some of which were under attack "We were all so scared... The entire bus was silent. Everyone was just praying," said Muhammad Tauqeer, a medical student Upon reaching Pakistan, the students faced another long journey from the border to their hometowns
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, confirmed that a 24-hour crisis management unit is coordinating the evacuation efforts for its approximately 3,000 students and 35,000 nationals in Iran While relieved to be safe, many students, some just months from completing their medical degrees, face an uncertain academic future. "I want to go back, I have only one year left," said Muhammad Raza, another medical student. "But I don’t know, realistically, if I will be able to"
Mohsin Rana
