Pakistani Workers
The repatriation of the bodies of eight Pakistani workers who were brutally murdered in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province is expected to take between eight to ten days, leaving grieving families in Bahawalpur and surrounding areas in deep anguish.
The victims, who had gone to Iran in search of better economic opportunities, were mercilessly gunned down in what authorities suspect was a targeted terrorist attack.
The attack took place in the remote village of Hezaabad Paeen, located in the Mehrestan district. According to initial reports, unidentified gunmen stormed an auto workshop where the Pakistani workers were employed.
The assailants tied up the laborers and then shot them at point-blank range. Among the victims were Dilshad and his son Naeem, as well as Jafar, Danish, and Nasir—all of whom had been living in Iran for several years, earning a livelihood to support their families back in Pakistan.
Local sources and preliminary investigations point to the involvement of an anti-Pakistan militant group, although no group has claimed responsibility as yet. Iranian security agencies have launched a probe into the incident and are working closely with Pakistani officials to determine the motive and identify the perpetrators.
The Pakistani Foreign Office has confirmed that the bodies will take over a week to be repatriated due to the logistical challenges posed by the remoteness of the location and the need to complete legal and forensic procedures in Iran.
A diplomatic source explained, “The village is located in an extremely remote area, and several formalities must be completed before the bodies can be released.”
Back in Pakistan, the delay has only intensified the grief of the bereaved families. In Ahmedpur Sharqia, Jamshed’s mother wept as she said, “We were preparing for his return after one and a half years. Now we await his dead body. His children are orphaned.” Another relative of Naeem and Dilshad added, “They left to earn for us. Now all we want is to give them a proper burial.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling it a “cowardly act of terrorism.” He urged the Iranian government to bring the culprits to justice swiftly and transparently.
The Prime Minister has also directed the Foreign Office to remain in contact with the grieving families and ensure that the bodies are returned at the earliest possible time.
The Iranian Embassy in Islamabad also issued a statement, denouncing the killings as an act of terrorism designed to damage bilateral ties. “Such incidents will not derail our commitment to jointly fight terrorism,” the statement affirmed.
This incident has reignited serious concerns about the safety of Pakistani workers abroad, particularly in regions prone to violence and instability. It underscores the urgent need for both countries to strengthen diplomatic and security cooperation to protect vulnerable expatriates and prevent such tragedies in the future.
