ISLAMABAD: Pakistan condemned the “horrifying” killing of nine Pakistanis in southeast Iran, the Pakistani foreign ministry said on Saturday, amid efforts from both sides to restore ties after last week’s tit-for-tat strikes in each other’s territory.
The nine Pakistani workers were killed by unidentified gunmen in Iran’s restive southeastern border area of Saravan on Saturday, according to Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran and a rights group.
Haalvash, the Baluch rights group, said on its website the victims were Pakistani laborers who lived at an auto repair shop where they worked. Three others were wounded, it added.
Iran’s state media identified the dead only as foreign nationals and said no individuals or groups had claimed responsibility for the killings in Saravan in the restless Sistan-Baluchestan province.
“It is a horrifying and despicable incident and we condemn it unequivocally,” Pakistani foreign ministry spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement.
“We are in touch with Iranian authorities and have underscored the need to immediately investigate the incident and hold to account those involved in this heinous crime.”
The development came a day after Pakistani and Iranian ambassadors returned to their posts after being recalled when both countries exchanged missile strikes last week at what they said were militant targets.
The strikes by the two countries were the highest-profile cross-border intrusions in recent years, however, both countries quickly moved to de-escalate tensions.
“Our Consul in Zahedan is on way to the hospital where injured people are being treated and will reach there in a few hours due to long distances and security imperatives involved,” Baloch said.
“He will also meet local authorities, and among other things, impress upon them the urgent need for strong action against the perpetrators of this crime.”
The impoverished Sistan-Baluchestan region has long been the scene of sporadic clashes between security forces and separatist militants and smugglers.
Iran has some of the lowest fuel prices in the world and this has also led to an increase in fuel-smuggling to Pakistan and Afghanistan despite a crackdown by Iranian border guards.
Islamabad condemns ‘horrifying’ killing of nine Pakistanis in Iran amid efforts to mend ties
https://arab.news/2gqhq
Islamabad condemns ‘horrifying’ killing of nine Pakistanis in Iran amid efforts to mend ties
- Unidentified gunmen killed nine Pakistani workers in Iran’s restive southeastern border area of Saravan, according to Pakistan’s envoy
- The development comes day after Pakistani, Iranian envoys returned to posts after being recalled following last week’s tit-for-tat strikes
Pakistan forms committee to negotiate financial advisory services for Islamabad airport privatization
- Committee to engage Asian Development Bank to negotiate terms of financial advisory services agreement, says privatization ministry
- Inaugurated in 2018, Islamabad airport has faced criticism over construction delays, poor facilities and operational inefficiencies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Privatization Ministry announced on Wednesday that it has formed a committee to engage the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to negotiate a potential financial advisory services agreement for the privatization of Islamabad International Airport.
The Islamabad International Airport, inaugurated in 2018 at a cost of over $1 billion, has faced criticism over construction delays, poor facilities, and operational inefficiencies.
The Negotiation Committee formed by the Privatization Commission will engage with the ADB to negotiate the terms of a potential Financial Advisory Services Agreement (FASA) for the airport’s privatization, the ministry said.
“The Negotiation Committee has been mandated to undertake negotiations and submit its recommendations to the Board for consideration and approval, in line with the applicable regulatory framework,” the Privatization Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said Islamabad airport operations will be outsourced under a concession model through an open and competitive process to enhance its operational efficiency and improve service delivery standards.
Pakistan has recently sought to privatize or outsource management of several state-run enterprises under conditions agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of a $7 billion bailout approved in September last year.
Islamabad hopes outsourcing airport operations will bring operational expertise, enhance passenger experience and restore confidence in the aviation sector.
In December 2025, Pakistan’s government successfully privatized its national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), selling 75 percent of its stakes to a consortium led by the Arif Habib Group.
The group secured a 75 percent stake in the PIA for Rs135 billion ($482 million) after several rounds of bidding, valuing the airline at Rs180 billion ($643 million).
Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said this week the government has handed over 26 state-owned enterprises to the Privatization Commission.
