Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting to review the regional situation and the country’s security situation, state-run PTV reported.

The development comes as Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against the Afghan Taliban earlier this week after the neighbouring country targeted Pakistani positions along the border.

Separately, the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Saturday, assassinating Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran called the strikes unprovoked and illegal and responded with missiles fired at Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that host US bases.

In a post on X, the state broadcaster said that during the meeting, the regional situation was reviewed in detail, while Pakistan’s role in maintaining peace in the region and multiple actions in this regard were also considered.

The situation of Afghanistan was also deeply reviewed during the meeting, while the members were also given a briefing on the internal situation of the country and the security arrangements in this regard, it said.

Further, actions taken to repatriate Pakistani citizens in Iran were also reviewed, with the Foreign Office giving a detailed briefing on efforts undertaken for their safe return, PTV said.

It added that evacuation was being facilitated through Azerbaijan for their safe return to the country. It was also briefed that their repatriation was being made possible from Iran via Azerbaijan.

PM postpones visit to Russia

Meanwhile, the premier also postponed his official visit to Russia, citing the recent “regional and internal situation”. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed the development in a statement.

It added that the premier’s visit to Russia was of “great significance” for advancing the bilateral relations between the two countries, but given the current situation, it was being postponed.

A new date would be decided after “mutual consultations”, the statement added.

According to Russian media, PM Shehbaz was due to travel to Russia from March 3 to 5.

Additional input from AFP and Reuters