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No Need for Mass Evacuation of Pakistanis from Middle East, NA Committee Told
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has told the National Assembly committee that there is no situation requiring mass evacuation of Pakistanis from the Middle East despite regional tensions, though repatriation assistance continues for stranded nationals.
ND
by News Desk
2026-03-10
No Need for Mass Evacuation of Pakistanis from Middle East, NA Committee Told

Senior officials of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis that the current regional tensions in the Middle East had not created a situation requiring a large-scale evacuation of Pakistani nationals.

The briefing was delivered by officials from the ministry’s Crisis Management Cell during a meeting of the committee chaired by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Syed Agha Rafiullah.

Officials provided a detailed update about the number of Pakistanis stranded in different Middle Eastern countries and the ongoing efforts being made to assist and repatriate them amid the evolving security situation.

Concerns over rising airfares

During the meeting, committee members expressed serious concerns over the sharp increase in airline ticket prices, particularly by the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

Foreign ministry officials acknowledged that Pakistani citizens in several countries were facing logistical challenges such as fuel shortages and transport disruptions, which had complicated travel arrangements.

“The Gulf missions reported large registered populations but comparatively manageable evacuee numbers,” according to a statement issued by the National Assembly of Pakistan Secretariat.

Situation in Qatar and the UAE

The Pakistani diplomatic mission in Qatar reported more than 10,000 registrations from Pakistanis seeking assistance, though only 215 individuals were categorised as actively stranded.

Of these, many have already been helped by the mission. Officials said 97 Pakistanis had returned home, while the remaining were expected to depart on March 11.

In the United Arab Emirates, the mission recorded more than 8,500 registrations, including 4,543 Pakistani passengers in transit.

Authorities confirmed that 4,400 of them had already left the UAE through 40 commercial flights.

An official from the Pakistani mission in Abu Dhabi clarified that the situation remained under control and assistance was primarily being provided to passengers stranded at airports rather than through a full evacuation operation.

He added that 14 Pakistanis departed from Dubai and six from Sharjah via flights on Monday.

The official also confirmed that two Pakistani nationals — both drivers — had died in separate incidents related to missile interceptions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. One body had already been repatriated to Pakistan while the other was still awaiting transport.

Debate over government aircraft

During the meeting, PPP lawmaker Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto questioned the need to discuss evacuation plans if the situation was normal.

“If everything is normal, why is evacuation being discussed?” she asked, urging officials to take a clear position.

She also suggested that an aircraft reportedly purchased by Maryam Nawaz should be used to bring stranded Pakistanis back to the country.

Committee chairman Rafiullah jokingly responded, “Does that mean only 12 people will be brought back in it?”

Lawmakers including Muhammad Ilyas Chaudhry supported the suggestion to utilise available resources for repatriation if required.

Situation in Saudi Arabia

Officials informed the committee that approximately 2.5 million Pakistanis live in Saudi Arabia, where the situation was described as tense but stable.

Air and land borders remain open, and flights operated by PIA and other Pakistani airlines are continuing normally.

The Pakistani mission has facilitated the return of 91 Pakistanis from Riyadh, while accommodation and other assistance are being provided to those awaiting travel.

Iraq and regional tensions

The ministry reported a more serious situation in Iraq, where around 40,000 Pakistanis reside.

Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting US bases, including locations near Baghdad Airport, have heightened security concerns.

Officials said arrangements were being made to repatriate 1,277 Pakistanis, including approximately 450 pilgrims.

Since Iraq’s airspace remains closed, Pakistani nationals are being transported via land routes through Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.

Accommodation and food are being arranged for pilgrims in the cities of Karbala and Najaf until their travel arrangements are completed.

Situation in Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain

The committee was informed that conditions in Kuwait were tense but manageable despite concerns about possible drone and missile attacks.

Although Kuwait’s airspace is currently closed, no Pakistani national has been reported stranded. A total of 158 Pakistanis were earlier assisted in returning home via Saudi Arabia’s land border.

In Oman, where nearly 382,000 Pakistanis live, the situation remains stable and flights to Pakistan continue to operate.

Meanwhile, in Bahrain, around 81 Pakistanis residing near a US naval base have been relocated to safer shelters. Bahrain’s airspace remains closed but land routes via Saudi Arabia remain available.

Deteriorating conditions in Lebanon

The ministry described the situation in Lebanon as rapidly deteriorating due to intensified Israeli airstrikes and ground operations.

Strikes have been reported in the southern suburbs of Beirut, and evacuation efforts have begun in parts of southern Lebanon.

Officials estimated that around 600 to 700 Pakistanis currently reside in the country.

Operational challenges

Officials also briefed the committee on the operational challenges faced in facilitating the return of Pakistani nationals.

Suspension of commercial flights in conflict zones has significantly disrupted air travel, forcing authorities to rely heavily on land routes.

Limited flight availability combined with high demand has led to sharply increased ticket prices.

Officials added that the rapidly changing security environment required constant monitoring and real-time planning to ensure the safety of Pakistani nationals abroad.

Despite these challenges, the Foreign Ministry reassured lawmakers that the situation remained manageable and that Pakistani missions across the region were actively assisting citizens where needed.
Tagged:

Pakistan

MiddleEastCrisis

OverseasPakistanis

NACommittee
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