Pakistan has closed its five border posts with Iran until further notice due to Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic, Agence France-Presse reported, citing officials in Islamabad, BTA reported.
“Border posts in five districts have ceased operations“, said a senior official in Balochistan, the Pakistani province bordering Iran.
The movement of people has been suspended until further notice, says the head of one of the posts - in the Chadi district, specifying that trade continues. Only Pakistanis who are unable to board a plane due to the regular closure of airspace in the Middle East are allowed to return, the director added, explaining that 200 Pakistani students enrolled in Iran are due to return to their country through the checkpoint today.
According to Islamabad, 450 Pakistani pilgrims have already been repatriated from Iran by Saturday.
Since the Israeli attacks began on Friday, Pakistan has expressed solidarity with the Iranian people and government. Today, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif called on the world to be more concerned about Israel's nuclear power, which Islamabad does not recognize. "Israel is not bound by any international agreements," the minister said.
Although media reports have suggested that Pakistan could support Iran in a wider conflict with Israel, officials in Islamabad have insisted that they are only providing moral and diplomatic support to their neighbor.
Located between Afghanistan, China, India and Iran, Islamabad has been trying to maintain alliances with rival countries. Pakistan is an ally of the United States and China, but also close to Tehran, while maintaining the patronage of Saudi Arabia, AFP noted.