Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday condemned the attack on Iran and the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a clear violation of international law, saying Pakistan had immediately contacted Iran, regional countries and world leadership and taken emergency measures to evacuate its citizens.

Speaking at a Senate meeting chaired by Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, Ishaq Dar said Pakistan had engaged in negotiations to resolve the issue and had been conducting backdoor diplomacy with Iran.

He said the government had so far evacuated 792 Pakistanis from border crossings, while 35,000 remain in Iran.

Commercial flights are suspended, but the Taftan border and another crossing remain functional.

Emergency helplines are active around the clock, and Azerbaijan is providing visa facilities to Pakistanis at its border.

Dar said Pakistan had held discussions with leaders from 13 countries, including Turkey, Maldives, Bangladesh, Palestine, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Azerbaijan and the European Union.

He added that Pakistan had supported Iran’s position on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and noted that the attack came despite positive responses from Iran in earlier negotiations.

Senator Sherry Rehman said Pakistan took a clear stand by condemning the attack, emphasising that foreign policy decisions are guided by national interest and defence rather than emotions.

She warned that the region is facing a situation some circles are likening to World War III.

PTI Senator Ali Zafar called the attack illegal and a war crime, saying a regional security framework is needed for stability.

The Senate meeting was adjourned until Wednesday.