ISLAMABAD, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has repatriated 792 of its nationals from Iran, and border crossings between the two neighboring countries remain operational, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday.
Speaking in the Senate on the situation regarding Iran, Dar said that the Taftan crossing in Pakistan and the Zahedan crossing in Iran were open and functioning.
"We have repatriated 792 Pakistani nationals from Iran," he told lawmakers, adding that 46 students were among those brought back.
He said that Pakistani citizens who reached the border without valid visas were being issued visas by Iranian authorities to facilitate their return.
Dar said the government was making utmost efforts to ensure the safe repatriation of its citizens.
Dar said about 35,000 Pakistanis were in Iran before the tension escalated, and the government is also in contact with Azerbaijan so that Pakistanis in the northern parts of Iran could cross into Baku if needed.
He added that Pakistan had been prepared to play a mediatory role between the United States and Iran and was still trying to help resolve the issue through diplomatic means. ■