Islamabad/Bahawalpur, April 13, 2025: The bodies of eight Pakistani workers brutally killed in Iran’s restive Sistan and Baluchestan province are unlikely to be repatriated for at least another week, as grief-stricken families in Bahawalpur continue to wait in anguish for their return.
The victims, all employed as auto mechanics, were shot dead by unidentified gunmen at a workshop in the remote village of Hezaabad Paeen, located in Mehrestan district near the Afghan border. According to local sources, the attackers stormed the facility, tied up the workers, and executed them at close range.
The slain men have been identified as Dilshad, his son Naeem, Jafar, Danish, Nasir, and others—all of whom had spent years working in Iran to support their families back home.
The Pakistani Foreign Office confirmed that the repatriation process may take eight to ten days due to the remoteness of the location and the time required for forensic examinations and legal clearances. Diplomatic sources in Tehran said both Pakistani and Iranian authorities are in constant contact to expedite the process, but logistical and administrative hurdles remain.
“This is a deeply remote area. Several legal protocols must be completed before the bodies can be transported,” said a diplomatic official.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage in Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the killings as a “cowardly act of terrorism” and urged the Iranian government to swiftly identify and punish those responsible. He also called for greater bilateral cooperation to ensure the safety of Pakistani nationals working abroad.
Initial reports point to the involvement of an anti-Pakistan militant group, although no group has claimed responsibility so far. Iranian security agencies have launched an investigation and assured full coordination with Pakistan.
Back in Ahmedpur Sharqia, the anguish is overwhelming. “We were preparing for his homecoming after a year and a half,” said the tearful mother of Jamshed, one of the victims. “Now we’re waiting for his dead body. His children have been left fatherless.”
Another relative, mourning the deaths of both Dilshad and his son Naeem, added, “They left for Iran to earn an honest living. Now we just want their bodies back so we can bury them with dignity.”
The Iranian embassy in Islamabad issued a statement strongly condemning the attack and reaffirming its commitment to fighting terrorism alongside Pakistan. “This was a despicable act meant to damage the relationship between our two countries. It will not succeed,” the statement read.
As families continue their painful wait, the incident has reignited concerns over the safety of Pakistani laborers working in conflict zones abroad and the need for stronger diplomatic mechanisms to ensure their protection.
