Afghanistan asked to probe killing of five Pakistani labourers

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office summoned the Deputy Head of the Afghan Mission in Islamabad on Friday, urging Afghanistan to investigate the killing or five Pakistani labourers in Afghanistan earlier this week.

“The Afghan Deputy Head of Mission was called to Foreign Office, today, and handed over a Demarche, conveying Pakistan’s serious concern over the brutal killing of five Pakistani nationals in Afghanistan,” said a press statement from the Foreign Office.

Gunmen had kidnapped eight Pakistani labourers belonging to the Charsadda district in Mamand area of Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province about two months ago.

The bullet-riddled bodies of five of the workers were found in Afghanistan, and were handed over to Pakistani authorities at the Torkham border on Wednesday.

“Government of Afghanistan has been requested to hold an investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice,” said the press release from the Pakistani foreign office today.

A statement from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s office also condemned the murders, and extended his sympathies and condolences go to the families of the victims.

Sharif hope that the Afghan government carries out a thorough investigation to ensure the perpetrators brought to justice.

“Terrorism is a mutual enemy of both neighbouring countries,” said the prime minister, adding that Pakistan and Afghanistan are taking mutual steps to combat terrorism.