Islamabad:
Pakistan called for full cooperation of the Iranian authorities on Sunday by investigating and treating the officials of the brutal murder of eight Pakistani nationals in the Iranian-baluchistan province during the weekend.
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday when the bodies of eight Pakistani men, who worked as an automobile mechanics at the Méhrestan – about 230 kilometers from the Pakistani -Iranian border – were discovered. Their hands and legs were attached, indicating a horrible murder of execution style. An little known group, the National Army of Baloutch (BNA), claimed the responsibility of the attack.
While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published a measured statement condemning the incident, sources revealed that Pakistan had transmitted a strong message to Iran concerning the presence of Balouthes terrorist groups on its soil. “Pakistan firmly condemned the inhuman and loose murder of its nationals in Iran,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The leadership and the people of Pakistan are deeply saddened and disturbed by this tragic incident. The Prime Minister expressed sincere condolences for the bereaved families.”
The press release also noted that the diplomatic mission of Pakistan in Iran requested consular access to verify the identities of the victims.
According to the press release, the Pakistan Embassy in Tehran and the Consulate in Zahidan, on the instructions of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar were in constant contact with the Iranian authorities.
He underlined a complete investigation to ensure that the authors were brought to justice as well as a rapid repatriation of the remains of the victims in Pakistan. “We hope for the full cooperation of the Iranian team to investigate the question and in the timely repatriation of the remains of the victims,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on Sunday to implement a strategy coordinated by all countries in the region against terrorism, saying that the threat of terrorism was devastating for all nations in the region.
Shehbaz expressed his serious concerns about the cruel murder of eight Pakistanis in the Mehrestan region, Iran, and urged Tehran to immediately arrest the accused and bring the reasons for this cruel act before the public.
According to Iranian media, unidentified armed men opened fire during a workshop in the Méhrestan district near the Afghan border, killing at least eight Pakistani nationals, who worked there as automotive mechanics.
Six of the victims were residents of Khanqah Sharif, a rural area of Bahawalpur, while the other two are from Tehsil Ahmedpur Sharqia. According to information, the victims were found with their hands and their feet tied and had been slaughtered at close range.
The members of the family of victims called on the government to get help to bring the remains home. Shehbaz ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to contact with the families of the victims and led the Pakistan Embassy to Iran for the safe return of the bodies.
The Iranian Embassy of Islamabad also condemned an “inhuman and cowardly” attack, calling for joint efforts to eradicate terrorism – a chronic spell and a common threat throughout the region.
“The fight against this worrying phenomenon requires collective and spouses of all countries to eradicate all forms of terrorism and extremism that have cost thousands of innocent people in recent decades,” he added.
The Embassy said the investigation had been launched in the murder of the Pakistani, adding that Iranian police were determined to arrest the terrorists involved in the incident and translated them into justice. He said arrangements were made to return the bodies as soon as possible.