Provincial officials said on Monday that Pakistan has closed all its border crossings with neighboring Iran for an indefinite period and barred its citizens from entering Iran.
The border crossing between Israel and Iran has been closed until further notice during the intense offensive and counterattack. Pakistani officials have said that even after the border closure, entry will be allowed for citizens who want to return home from Iran.
Qadir Bakhsh Pirkani, a senior official of Baluchistan province, which borders Iran, told AFP, 'The border facilities of all five districts, including Chaghi, Washuk, Panjgur, Kech and Gwadar, have been suspended.'
Atta ul Munim, a border official in Chagi district, informed that the entry into Iran has been suspended until further notice. He said, 'The border closure will not impose any restrictions on business activities' at the border and Pakistani citizens who need to return to their country from Iran will be able to return home.'
'We are expecting about 200 Pakistani students to come today,' said Atta.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday that 450 Pakistani pilgrims have been rescued from Iran and many more are yet to follow.
Pakistan, the only Muslim-majority country with nuclear weapons, said on Friday that it "stands in solidarity with the Iranian government and its people" against Israel's attack.
Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that the world should be aware and suspicious of Israel's nuclear capabilities.
Israel is undeclared but the only nuclear power in the Middle East.
The media reported that Pakistan could support Tehran if the conflict flares up, but officials in Islamabad said their country was only showing "moral and diplomatic solidarity".
Sunni-majority Pakistan shares more than 900 kilometers (560 miles) of border with Shia-majority Iran.
Relations between the two neighbors have been complicated, with Pakistan often wary of US-led sanctions on Tehran and mindful of its relationship with Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly helped save Pakistan's economy.
Bilateral trade between the two countries is about three billion US dollars and officials have expressed commitment to increase it to 10 billion dollars in the coming years.
