Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the Iranian government to swiftly apprehend those responsible for the brutal killing of eight Pakistani workers near the Pak-Iran border in Sistan and ensure they receive exemplary punishment.
According to Geo News, at least eight Pakistani nationals, who worked as car mechanics in Iran’s restive Sistan and Baluchestan province, were shot dead by gunmen. The firing incident occurred at a workshop in Mehrestan district near the Afghanistan border, as reported by Iranian media.
Six of the slain men were from Khanqa Sharif, a rural area in Bahawalpur, while the remaining two were from Tehsil Ahmedpur Sharqia.
Expressing deep concern over the incident, PM Shehbaz called it a heinous act of terrorism and demanded that Iranian authorities disclose the motives behind the attack to the public.
“Terrorism remains a grave threat to the entire region,” the premier stated, emphasizing the need for a coordinated strategy among neighboring countries to eliminate this menace.
He directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to immediately contact the victims’ families and extend all possible support. He also instructed the Pakistani embassy in Iran to take urgent steps to ensure the safe repatriation of the deceased.
Meanwhile, the grieving families have appealed to the government for assistance in the immediate repatriation of the bodies.
One of the victims, Aamir, had been working in Iran for a year. His father shared that Aamir had planned to return home for Eid ul Fitr but was unable to due to border closures.
“We were told that there was a terrorist attack at the garage where he worked,” Aamir’s father said. “We appeal to the government to help us bring our loved ones’ bodies home.”
Naeem, a cousin of one of the victims, told Geo News that the local administration in Bahawalpur had not yet reached out to the grieving families as of Saturday night.
Repatriation of Bodies
Moreover, the Chagai district administration stated that contact had been established with Iranian authorities regarding the repatriation of the bodies of the individuals killed in Sistan-Baluchestan.
They added that they are in contact with the Pakistani Consulate in Tehran, and it may take two to three days for the bodies to be returned.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad issued a statement regarding the killing of Pakistani mechanics, saying, “We strongly condemn the armed attack on eight Pakistani citizens in the Iranian province of Sistan.”
The embassy described the incident as inhumane and cowardly, declaring it completely unacceptable.
“Terrorism poses a continuous and shared threat to the entire region,” it added.
The mission further emphasized that all countries must join hands in a united effort to eradicate terrorism and extremism.
“This trend has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people over past decades,” the statement read.
The embassy concluded by underscoring the urgent need for collective and coordinated efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region.
This unfortunate incident comes as a jolt to the neighboring countries’ efforts to mend bilateral ties following a short but aggressive episode of cross-border tensions that arose after Iran’s surprise attack targeted at a militant outfit inside Pakistan.
The region, located near the Iran-Pakistan border, has witnessed several similar incidents in recent years, including shootings, smuggling, and border clashes due to its strategic location.
Pakistani laborers commonly work in vehicle repair and agriculture in Iran’s border region; however, the recent killings signal growing insecurity for foreign workers in the country’s eastern areas.
In January last year, at least nine Pakistanis were killed and three sustained injuries in a firing incident in Iran’s southeastern region near the border with Pakistan, just a day after Islamabad and Tehran officially resumed diplomatic ties following a brief strain.
