Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called on Iran to swiftly arrest those responsible for the brutal killing of eight Pakistani nationals in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province earlier this week. He also urged countries across the region to join forces in tackling the persistent threat of terrorism.
News of the killings first broke on Saturday evening through local media, though official confirmation from Pakistan came later. The Foreign Office eventually acknowledged the incident, confirming that diplomatic contact with Iran was underway and promising more details after a thorough investigation.
In an official statement, PM Sharif expressed sorrow over the tragic deaths and pressed the Iranian government to share the reasons behind the attack. “This act of violence must not go unpunished. The culprits should be brought to justice, and transparency must prevail,” Sharif stated.
He emphasized the growing danger of terrorism in the region, saying, “Terrorism affects us all. We need a united, regional strategy to confront and eliminate it.”
The prime minister also instructed the Foreign Office to stay in touch with the victims’ families and directed Pakistan’s embassy in Tehran to ensure the victims’ bodies are safely returned home.
Meanwhile, Iran’s embassy in Islamabad condemned the attack, labeling it a “cowardly act,” and called for broader cooperation among regional states to fight extremism. “Eliminating terrorism in all its forms requires coordinated efforts from every nation,” it said.
According to a report by Afghanistan’s Khaama Press, the attack occurred early Saturday in the Mehrestan district, close to the Iran-Pakistan border. The victims were reportedly auto mechanics. Later in the day, the Balochistan National Army (BNA), a separatist group, claimed responsibility, alleging the workers were tied to Pakistan’s intelligence services.
Pakistan’s Balochistan province, which borders Iran, has been plagued by a low-level insurgency for nearly 20 years. Separatist groups accuse Islamabad of exploiting the province’s rich mineral resources while neglecting its people — an accusation the government denies, pointing to ongoing development initiatives.
Incidents like this are sadly not new. In January 2024, nine Pakistani workers were killed in a similar attack in Iran’s Saravan city, also in the border region. Like the recent victims, they too worked in vehicle repair.
Despite efforts to mend relations after last year’s cross-border military strikes, the latest killings pose a serious test for Iran-Pakistan ties — and a reminder of the urgent need for regional unity against terror.
