ISLAMABAD: Prime Min­ister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting to review the internal and regional security situation, as he also cancelled his official visit to Russia in light of the turmoil that has gripped the region in the wake of the attack on Iran.

According to a statement by the Prime Mini­ster’s Office, the meeting reviewed the regional situation in detail. The meeting discussed the role of Pakistan and various mea­sures to establish peace in the region, besides reviewing the situation in Afghanistan and the Pak-Afghan border.

On the instructions of the prime minister, steps were also reviewed to evacuate Pakistani citizens from Iran. The Foreign Office also gave a detailed briefing on the safe return of citizens from the neighbouring country. It was informed that the evacuation of Pakistani citizens from Iran was being made possible through Azerbaijan.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Mohsin Naqvi, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and other high-ranking civil and military officials attended the meeting.

The PM also postponed his official visit to Russia, citing the recent “regional and internal situation”, according to the PMO.

It added that the premier’s visit to Russia was of “great significance” for advancing the 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.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2026