Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged Iran to quickly apprehend those behind the murder of eight Pakistani nationals near the border between Pak-Iran in Sistan.
The men, the automobile mechanics per profession, were shot dead in a workshop in the district of Mehrest near the border of Afghanistan, Iranian media reported. Six victims were from Khanqa Sharif, Bahawalpur, while two came from Ahmedpur Sharqia.
By calling the incident an “atrocious act of terrorism”, Prime Minister Shehbaz demanded that the Iranian authorities reveal the reasons behind the attack and punish the perpetrators.
“Terrorism remains a serious threat to the entire region,” said Prime Minister Shehbaz in a statement, urging neighboring countries to formulate a joint strategy against extremism.
The Premier ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan to contact the families of the victims and provide immediate support. He also instructed the embassy in Tehran to organize the rapid repatriation of the bodies.
The members of the victims’ family have appealed to the government in search of help to bring the remains home.
The attack occurs in the midst of efforts to repair bilateral relations between the two countries after a brief period of cross -border tensions earlier this year.
In a similar attack last year, nine Pakistani were killed in a shot incident near the border, one day after both countries resumed diplomatic ties after a brief tension.
