ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on ‘X’ states that government and the people of Pakistan join the people of Iran in their hour of grief and sorrow and extend the most sincere condolences on the martyrdom of His eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. “Pakistan also expresses concern violation of the norms of international law. It is an age old convention that the Heads of State/ Government should not be targeted,” he said. Prime Minister also held a telephone conversation with King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to discuss the evolving regional situation. The two leaders exchanged views on the serious regional developments following the recent escalation from the Israeli attack on Iran that was followed by attacks on Jordan and other regional countries. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised all Pakistani nationals residing in the Gulf region to exercise utmost caution; remain indoors where possible and avoid unnecessary travel. In an official advisory on the situation in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, the Foreign Office also urged Pakistani nationals to strictly adhere to the instructions and advisories issued by the respective host governments. In view of the evolving regional situation, the Ministry has activated its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) to closely monitor developments and extend all necessary assistance. The CMU is operational 24/7. For information or emergency assistance, please contact the CMU: +92-51-9207887 In the wake of situation in Iran, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to safely bring back the Pakistanis in that country via Azerbaijan and immediately contact the Azeri government in this regard. AFP ADDS: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif cancelled on Sunday a trip to Russia in the coming days, citing the “regional and internal situation”. Sharif was due to travel to Russia from March 3 to 5, it had been reported in Russian media. Months of cross-border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan have flared since Thursday when Afghanistan launched an offensive along the frontier, with Pakistani forces hitting back on the border and from the skies. And protesters took to the streets across Pakistan on Sunday after the death of neighbouring Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israel air strikes. “In view of the current regional and internal situation, the prime minister has decided to postpone his visit to Russia after consultations,” Sharif’s office said in a statement. A new date will be decided after “mutual consultations”, the statement added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026