April 12 killing of 8 Pakistani labourers: Durrani, Saif ask Iran to expedite prosecution of perpetrators

ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister Muhammad Ali Durrani on Tuesday demanded Iran expedite the identification and prosecution of perpetrators behind the April 12 killing of eight Pakistani labourers in Sistan province, while calling for enhanced protections for migrant workers.

The demands were presented during a meeting at the Iranian Embassy, where Muhammad Ali Durrani and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister’s Adviser Barrister Dr. Muhammad Ali Saif held talks with Iranian Ambassador Dr. Reza Amiri Moghaddam. Both Pakistani leaders conveyed goodwill messages to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian. Durrani, highlighting his personal connection as a native of Bahawalpur where the victims’ families reside, stated: “the bereaved families demand not just arrests but public identification of those behind this gruesome crime. “These workers represented Pakistan’s most vulnerable economic class,” Durrani emphasized. “Their tragic deaths have pushed already struggling families into deeper despair.” He pressed for immediate Iranian measures to secure Pakistani labour communities. The former minister proposed concrete measures to safeguard workers, including establishing a trilateral security framework with Afghanistan, Pakistan, and implementing enhanced intelligence-sharing mechanisms between the neighbouring countries “Terrorism threatens our shared interests in regional peace, stability and economic connectivity,” Durrani asserted, noting the attack’s impact on cross-border labour mobility.

Barrister Saif reinforced the message, conveying the KP government’s commitment to support Iran’s counter-terrorism efforts while facilitating people-to-people ties. Iranian Ambassador accepted invitation of visit of KP extended by Barrister Dr. Muhammad Ali Saif. Ambassador Moghaddam offered condolences, stating: “Iran shares your grief and assures transparent legal proceedings.” He reassured Tehran’s commitment to protecting all foreign workers. He stated that the security forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran would hunt down the perpetrators behind this heinous crime, and their identities would be revealed to the public. He also emphasized the need to increase bilateral trade between the two countries from $3 billion to $10 billion.