Pakistani citizens fleeing war‑torn Iran describe terrifying scenes of explosions and missile strikes across Tehran that shook the ground under their feet forcing hundreds of students pilgrims and expatriates to hastily flee toward the Pakistan border. Survivors told Reuters they felt powerful blasts inside classrooms and saw thick smoke rising from buildings engulfed in fire as the U.S.‑Israeli air campaign intensified in the Iranian capital leaving major parts of the city looking nearly deserted as residents scrambled for safety.
Nearly 1,000 Pakistanis including students businessmen and pilgrims have now crossed back into Pakistan out of an estimated 35,000 nationals who had been in Iran when the conflict erupted according to Pakistan’s ambassador in Tehran. Evacuees describe periods when attacks struck every four to five hours with one missile hitting a building near a diplomat’s office and others saying it sometimes felt like “something exploded right at your feet,” highlighting the ferocity of the bombardment and the growing humanitarian mood in the chaos.
The mass return has added pressure on Islamabad as it tries to balance its diplomatic ties with Washington and Tehran while managing the logistics and safety of its returning citizens including students and young professionals who now face an uncertain future after witnessing destruction and fear in a city they once called home.
