Pakistan Receives Bodies of 8 Workers Killed in Iran Incident

Bahawalpur, April 17, 2025: The bodies of 8 Pakistani workers killed in Iran’s restive Sistan-Balochistan province have been received with respect upon repatriation and arrived at Bahawalpur early Thursday morning.

A special plane arrived at Bahawalpur Airport at around 3:00 am with the victims’ remains. Seven deceased were from Bahawalpur’s Khanqah Sharif, and one was from Multan district’s Shujaabad, official sources reported. The bodies were directly shifted by ambulance to their respective hometowns to be buried.

Strict Security and Official Presence at the Airport

For a hassle-free reception, tight security arrangements were made at Bahawalpur Airport. Senior officials, such as the Bahawalpur Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, remained present to oversee arrangements and provide condolences to the mourning families.

Workers Targeted in Iran’s Mehrestan District

The victims worked as car mechanics in Mehrestan town, about 230 kilometres from the Pakistan-Iran border. On April 12, armed men broke into their workshop and shot them dead at point-blank range.

The bloodshed has raised demands for better security for Pakistani nationals employed abroad, particularly in sensitive areas.

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Pakistan Demands Justice from Iran

The government of Pakistan condemned the killings in strong terms, calling on Iran to arrest the perpetrators and provide speedy justice. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the attack a “barbaric act of terrorism” and called for Iranian authorities to provide complete transparency on the motive behind the attack.

Ongoing Instability in Sistan-Balochistan

Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan province continues to be a hotbed of violence between separatist insurgents, criminal groups, and drug smugglers. The attack highlights the region’s chronic instability and the imperative for urgent bilateral cooperation to safeguard civilian lives.

The return of the eight victims has attracted national focus on the security of Pakistani workers overseas. While Pakistan grieves, the international community is keenly awaiting Iran’s response and adherence to justice.