Pakistan urges citizens against travel to Iran amid protests and internet blackout – Firstpost

Pakistan’s Foreign Office has issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid all non‑essential travel to Iran amid escalating anti‑government protests and a nationwide internet shutdown, officials mentioned on Saturday, citing growing safety and security concerns.

The advisory comes as widespread demonstrations initially driven by public anger over rising living costs and economic hardship have entered their second week with authorities imposing internet restrictions and communications blackouts to curb information flow. Rights groups say nationwide shutdowns have hampered reporting and made conditions more unpredictable for both residents and foreign visitors.

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Safety concerns drive travel warning

In a statement, the Foreign Office urged Pakistani nationals not to travel to Iran until the situation stabilises, emphasising that security conditions remain volatile across multiple cities. Citizens already in Iran were told to stay vigilant, avoid areas experiencing unrest and maintain regular contact with Pakistani diplomatic missions.

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“For their safety and security, Pakistani nationals are advised to avoid all unnecessary travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until conditions improve,” mentioned the advisory which also provided contact details for emergency assistance through Pakistan’s embassy in Tehran and consular offices in Zahidan and Mashhad.

To support citizens in distress, Pakistan’s embassy in Tehran has established a crisis management unit with dedicated hotlines that operate around‑the‑clock. The Foreign Office’s directive encourages Pakistanis in Iran to make use of these resources should urgent situations arise.

The advisory also warns Pakistanis to minimise non‑essential movement within Iran, remain in close communication with the missions, and exercise heightened caution as unrest continues to unfold.

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Unrest and internet blackout escalate risks

The travel warning coincides with a deepening political crisis in Iran. Protests, now in their second week, have spread to major urban centres and been met with a mix of crackdowns and government attempts to suppress information. Independent groups report hundreds of arrests and multiple fatalities as public anger over inflation, unemployment and economic mismanagement intensifies.

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Iran’s authorities have imposed an extensive internet and phone blackout, limiting access to social media and international communications, a move critics say has made monitoring protests and ensuring civilian safety more difficult. The shutdown has also compounded difficulties for foreign nationals trying to communicate or travel safely within the country.

Regional and global leaders have voiced concern over the intensifying unrest, with some foreign governments issuing their own travel advisories and urging citizens to reconsider travel plans to Iran. Beyond Pakistan’s advisory, other nations have similarly warned of heightened risks, citing both the protests and the sudden communications restrictions.

India also had issued this week a travel advisory for its nationals in Iran amid ongoing protests, urging caution and restraint in travel as the situation in the country continues to remain volatile.

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