ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday repatriated 11 of its nationals along with 20 Iranian citizens from vessels seized by the United States on the high seas, in a coordinated operation involving Singapore, Thailand and Iran amid continued regional diplomatic engagement.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced the repatriation in a statement posted on X, saying all individuals were safe and in good condition.
“All individuals are in good health and high spirits,” Dar said.
According to the statement, the group traveled from Singapore to Bangkok before boarding a flight to Islamabad late Friday.
Pakistani authorities were then expected to facilitate the onward return of the Iranian nationals to Iran.
The development comes amid heightened diplomatic coordination across the region following months of tensions linked to the Iran-US conflict, maritime security concerns and disruptions in international shipping routes.
Dar said the welfare of Pakistanis abroad, particularly those facing distress situations, remained the government’s “highest priority.”
“Our Iranian brothers will then be facilitated to return to their homeland,” the statement said.
The foreign minister thanked the governments of Singapore and Thailand for supporting the repatriation process and acknowledged the role of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for “reposing trust in Pakistan” regarding the return of the Iranian nationals.
Dar also expressed appreciation to the United States for “close coordination” in facilitating the return of the 31 Pakistani and Iranian nationals.
“My heartfelt thanks to my colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, and Pakistan’s missions in Singapore and Thailand for their timely coordination and dedicated efforts in ensuring the smooth, safe, and successful completion of the repatriation process,”
