‘We were just praying’: Pakistani students recount escape from war-hit Iran
Al Jazeera
March 4, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
On February 28, US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran forced over 3,000 Pakistani students living in Tehran to flee the country amid chaos and uncertainty. Many of these students were medical professionals like Muhammad Raza and Muhammad Tauqeer, who recounted their harrowing experiences as they scrambled to reach safety. The attacks triggered a wave of fear, with students rushing to hostels and contacting the Pakistani embassy for guidance.
The embassy instructed them to gather essentials and wait for transportation back to Pakistan. Hundreds of students boarded buses bound for Zahedan, Iran, embarking on a 1500km (932-mile) journey through regions under attack. The trip was fraught with danger, as the convoy passed through cities like Yazd and Kerman, where fighting continued.
During their odyssey, students learned of the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, adding to the sense of despair. The silence on buses reflected the collective fear and anxiety, with passengers relying solely on prayer for comfort. After a grueling 20-hour journey, they finally crossed into Pakistan through the Taftan border in Balochistan.
The evacuation highlighted the precarious situation faced by expatriates caught in the crossfire of a regional conflict. Over 1,000 Pakistani citizens, including nearly 400 students, returned home within three days. The incident underscores the broader implications of the escalating war for civilians and foreign nationals alike, raising concerns about safety and stability in the region.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 3/4/2026