QUETTA, Pakistan, June 16, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Pakistan has closed all its 
border crossings with neighbouring Iran for an indefinite period, provincial 
officials said on Monday, as Israel and Iran trade intense strikes and 
threaten further attacks.

"Border facilities in all five districts -- Chaghi, Washuk, Panjgur, Kech and 
Gwadar -- have been suspended," Qadir Bakhsh Pirkani, a senior official in 
Balochistan province, which borders Iran, told AFP.

Crossing into Iran "has been suspended until further notice", said Atta ul 
Munim, an official at one of the crossings in Chaghi district.

However, there was "no ban on trade" activities at the border and Pakistani 
nationals needing to return to their the country from Iran can cross, he 
added.

"We're expecting around 200 Pakistani students coming today," Atta said.

On Sunday, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said 450 Pakistani pilgrims 
were evacuated from Iran, with more to follow, as well as from Iraq -- the 
two countries hosting the holiest sites in Shiite Islam.

Pakistan, the only Muslim-majority country with nuclear weapons, said on 
Friday it "stands in solidarity with the Government and the people of Iran" 
against strikes by Israel, which both Islamabad and Tehran do not recognise.

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday warned that the world 
"should be wary and apprehensive about Israel's nuclear prowess" and accused 
it of lacking "any international nuclear discipline".

Israel is the Middle East's only nuclear power, although undeclared.

Media reports have said Pakistan may support Tehran if the conflict was to 
widen, but officials in Islamabad have reiterated that their country is only 
showing "moral and diplomatic solidarity".

Predominantly Sunni Pakistan shares a more than 900-kilometre (560-mile) 
border with Shiite-majority Iran.

The relationship between the two neighbours has been complex, with Pakistan 
often wary of US-led sanctions on Tehran and also mindful of its ties with 
Riyadh, which has repeatedly helped rescue its economy by rolling over 
overdue debts.

Bilateral trade between the two countries stands at around $3 billion and 
officials have vowed to boost it to $10 billion in the coming years.