Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged Iran to swiftly apprehend those behind the killing of eight Pakistani nationals near the Pak-Iran border in Sistan.
The men, car mechanics by profession, were gunned down at a workshop in the Mehrestan district near the Afghanistan border, Iranian media reported. Six victims were from Khanqa Sharif, Bahawalpur, while two hailed from Ahmedpur Sharqia.
Calling the incident a “heinous act of terrorism”, PM Shehbaz demanded Iranian authorities reveal the motives behind the attack and punish the perpetrators.
“Terrorism remains a grave threat to the entire region,” PM Shehbaz said in a statement, urging neighbouring countries to formulate a joint strategy against extremism.
The premier directed Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to contact the victims’ families and provide immediate support. He also instructed the embassy in Tehran to arrange swift repatriation of the bodies.
Family members of the victims have appealed to the government for help in bringing the remains home.
The attack comes amid efforts to repair bilateral relations between the two countries following a brief period of cross-border tensions earlier this year.
In a similar attack last year, nine Pakistanis were killed in a firing incident near the border, a day after both countries resumed diplomatic ties following a brief strain.
