In a horrifying and reprehensible act, nine Pakistani workers were killed in Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan province. The tragic event unfolded in the early hours of the morning when unidentified assailants attacked the sleeping Pakistani workers, leaving them with multiple bullet injuries, leading to their demise.
The incident occurred just a day after the official resumption of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Iran following a brief strain in bilateral relations that witnessed Iran’s surprising attack inside Pakistan, prompting a measured response from Pakistan against terrorist hideouts in Sistan-Balochistan. This heinous act strikes at the heart of the recent efforts made by both nations to foster a more cooperative relationship. Such attacks not only claim innocent lives but also pose a significant threat to regional stability. It is essential to condemn this act in the strongest terms, expressing solidarity with the victims’ families and emphasizing the need for joint efforts to eliminate the forces behind such violence. Those who seek to disrupt normal and cordial relations between Pakistan and Iran are undoubtedly behind this despicable incident.
As both nations strive to overcome recent cross-border tensions, it is evident that there are elements keen on sowing seeds of hostility. Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani very rightly identified the attack as an attempt to sabotage Pak-Iran ties. This should not be allowed to happen under any circumstances. India has the history of carrying out extra-territorial killings. A few days ago, our Foreign Secretary shared details of India’s involvement in the killing of two Pakistanis. Not only this, India has also been caught red-handed in the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada, while it was also found involved in plotting the assassination of another Sikh leader in the US. The involvement of the Indian intelligence agency RAW in the killing of Pakistanis in Sistan-Balochistan cannot be ruled out. It is for the Iranian side to swiftly and comprehensively investigate the incident, apprehend those behind it and also share the findings of the investigation with Pakistan.
The latest attack necessitates that both countries collaborate and counter the threat posed by foreign-backed terrorists. The visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian to Pakistan provides an opportunity to address the matter at the diplomatic level, fostering a joint commitment to counter-terrorism. The two sides must strengthen intelligence sharing and enhance security cooperation to foil the nefarious designs of the enemies.
