KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Saturday strongly condemned the reported killing of Pakistani nationals in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, expressing deep sorrow and grief over the tragic loss of innocent lives.
In a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, Shah described the incident as “horrific and despicable,” adding that it appeared to be a deliberate attempt by common enemies to sabotage Pakistan-Iran relations.
The Chief Minister called on the Iranian government to launch an immediate investigation and ensure swift accountability of those responsible.
Foreign Office Responds
Meanwhile, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan confirmed that the ministry is aware of the reports and has established contact with Iranian authorities.
“We will comment once the facts are fully established and verified,” the FO said in a brief statement.
Details of the Incident
According to local media reports, eight Pakistani nationals from Bahawalpur were shot and killed by unidentified assailants in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, near the Pakistan-Iran border. The victims were reportedly car mechanics working at an auto workshop and are believed to have been targeted by an anti-Pakistan group.
The attack mirrors a similar incident in January last year, when nine Pakistani workers were gunned down by unknown attackers in the same region.
Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that “unknown armed men opened fire on a group of non-Iranians in the Sirkan area of Saravan city,” killing nine and injuring three Pakistanis.
The deceased in the recent attack reportedly hailed from Punjab, including Multan, Muzaffargarh, and Bahawalpur districts.
Ongoing Violence Against Punjabis
The killings highlight a troubling pattern of targeted attacks on Pakistani labourers from Punjab.
- Last month, four workers from Punjab were shot dead in Kalat, Balochistan, after being offloaded from a Karachi-bound bus.
- In February, seven passengers were executed in Barkhan district after being identified by their ID cards.
- In August last year, 23 people were killed in Musakhail, with attackers reportedly singling out individuals from Punjab.
- In April 2023, nine people from Punjab were killed near Noshki after being forcibly removed from a bus.
Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah emphasized the urgent need for regional cooperation to ensure the protection of migrant workers and vulnerable communities, particularly in conflict-prone areas.
He reiterated his solidarity with the families of the victims and called for Pakistan’s federal authorities and Iranian counterparts to work closely together to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent future attacks.
