The bodies of eight Pakistani citizens who lost their lives in a violent terrorist assault in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province were flown back to Bahawalpur on Thursday aboard a special flight.
As per the Foreign Office, Iranian authorities officially transferred the remains to Pakistan after completing all legal and diplomatic formalities. The process was facilitated through the Pakistani Embassy in Tehran and the Consulate in Zahedan.
Read more: Families Demand Immediate Repatriation of Bodies After Terror Attack in Iran
The victims — Muhammad Amir, Muhammad Dilshad, Muhammad Nasir, Malik Jamshed, Muhammad Danish, Muhammad Naeem, Ghulam Jafar, and Muhammad Khalid — were all residents of Bahawalpur and worked as motor mechanics in the remote Mehrestan area near the Pakistan-Iran border.
Upon their return to Pakistan, the bodies were taken from Bahawalpur Airport to their hometowns in ambulances for final burial rites.
Earlier this week, unidentified gunmen stormed the workshop where these individuals were employed and killed them instantly. Iranian officials have launched a thorough investigation, pledging to bring those responsible to justice.
In an interview with News Guru, a representative from the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad confirmed the fatalities and stated that a comprehensive police investigation was underway. The spokesperson emphasized that the culprits would be found and held accountable, and assured that Tehran was actively collaborating with Islamabad throughout the process.
The Pakistani Foreign Office also acknowledged the tragic event, stating that their embassy and consulate were maintaining close coordination with Iranian authorities and security agencies.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and will issue a formal statement once all details are confirmed.”
Political and Diplomatic Reactions:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed profound grief over the incident and called on the Iranian government to swiftly bring the attackers to justice. He stressed that terrorism is a menace that affects the entire region and urged regional cooperation to eradicate it. He also instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to fully support the victims’ families and ensure the smooth repatriation of the bodies.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the killings, describing them as a tragic and painful loss. He assured the families that the government stood by them in this time of sorrow.
Separately, a resolution was presented in the Punjab Assembly by PML-N’s Hina Pervez Butt, denouncing the murders and demanding the Iranian authorities arrest and extradite the assailants. The resolution also highlighted the potential damage such incidents could cause to the long-standing friendly ties between Pakistan and Iran.
This isn’t the first instance of violence involving Pakistani nationals in the region. On January 27, a similar attack in Saravan — another border city in Sistan — resulted in the deaths of nine Pakistanis.
