2 weeks Ago By Our Staff Reporter
Shehbaz says, ‘We have repeatedly asked Kabul govt to rein in terror groups operating in Pakistan from across Afghanistan’ FO says identities of Sistan victims being verified Iran pledges full cooperation in investigating motives behind the incident. LONDON, ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has urged Iran to swiftly apprehend those behind the killing of eight Pakistani nationals near the Pak-Iran border in Sistan. As many as car mechanics were gunned down the other day at a workshop in the Mehrestan district near the Afghanistan border.
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 to reveal the motives behind the attack and punish the perpetrators. “Terrorism remains a grave threat to the entire region,” PM Shehbaz said this while talking to media outside Avenfield flats in London where he arrived to meet Nawaz Sharif, the ruling PML-N president, who is also in the city for the last two weeks.
Pakistan, US agree on sustained coop for strategic interests Shehbaz urged neighbouring countries of Pakistan to formulate a joint strategy against extremism. He said that it’s a sad reality that the soil of neighbouring Afghanistan is being used for terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. PM Shehbaz said: “Afghanistan is our brotherly country and the two countries are neighbours by nature.
We have to live as good neighbours. It’s up to us how we live cordially and in a friendly way. We have asked the Afghan interim govt several times that the Afghan soil should not be used as per the Doha agreement against Pakistan and its interests.
” “Sadly, terror groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) and other terror groups are operating from Afghanistan. They have killed innocent people inside Pakistan. These sacrifices of Pakistanis will not go in vain.
My advice to Afghanistan is to rein in these terrorist groups.” 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.
Israeli forces bomb last functioning hospital in Gaza Meanwhile, the Foreign Office said that the identities of the eight Pakistani nationals - killed in Mehrestan County, Sistan-Baluchistan province - were being verified. “Our Mission has already requested consular access to verify their identities. The leadership and people of Pakistan are deeply saddened and perturbed over the tragic incident.
Prime Minister has expressed his deep condolences for the bereaved families,” said a statement released by the FO. It added: “On the instructions of the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, our Embassy in Tehran and our Consulate in Zahidan are in constant touch with the Iranian authorities for a comprehensive investigation to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice as well as for prompt repatriation of the victims’ remains to Pakistan.” Pakistan, it said, “strongly condemns the inhumane and cowardly killing of its nationals in Iran.
We hope for Iranian side’s full cooperation in investigating the matter and in timely repatriation of victims’ remains.” Pakistan to benefit from agri expertise of Belarus: PM The FO added: “Further updates will be provided as soon as additional details regarding the identification of dead bodies and the circumstances leading to their tragic deaths become available.” Embassy of Iran in Pakistan also strongly condemned the armed attack on eight Pakistani nationals in Sistan, denouncing the act as both inhumane and cowardly.
The Iranian Embassy expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident and reaffirmed Tehran’s resolve to confront terrorism in all its forms. “Terrorism remains a persistent and shared threat to the entire region,” the embassy said in a statement. “Traitorous elements, often in collusion with international terrorist networks, continue to jeopardize peace, security and regional stability,” it added.
The embassy underscored the need for collective action, calling on all regional countries to intensify joint efforts to eradicate terrorism and extremism. “Defeating this scourge demands unified, coordinated strategies. The menace of terrorism and violent extremism has already claimed countless innocent lives over the past decades,” it added.
CM Maryam, Turkish VP explore ways to boost coop Iran has pledged full cooperation in investigating the incident and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the rights and safety of all foreign nationals within its territory. Tags: urges iran swiftly.
