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
ADB approves $381 million for climate-resilient agriculture, social services in Punjab
- Support will upgrade Punjab’s education and nursing systems, improving learning outcomes and health care capacity
- Package includes $124 million for agriculture, $107 million for STEM schooling and $150 million for nursing reforms
KARACHI: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Saturday it approved $381 million in financing for Pakistan’s Punjab province to modernize agriculture and strengthen education and health services, with a major focus on building climate resilience after monsoon floods this year caused widespread destruction across the country’s most populous province.
The package includes concessional loans and grants for farm mechanization, STEM education, and nursing sector reforms.
ADB said the investments are intended to help Punjab, home to more than half of Pakistan’s population and a key contributor to its economy, recover from climate shocks and transition toward more sustainable and resilient development.
“Investing in education, health, and agricultural mechanization will play a transformative role in driving the growth of Punjab, a vital pillar of Pakistan’s economy,” said ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan. “These strategic investments will modernize agriculture, enhance human capital, and significantly improve livelihoods for millions of people across Punjab.”
The bank approved $120 million in concessional loans and a $4 million grant for the Punjab Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Agriculture Mechanization Project, which will support 220,000 rural farm households.
The program aims to reduce climate vulnerability by shifting farmers toward modern, low-emission machinery, provide alternative livelihoods for agricultural workers and train 15,000 women in new skills. It will also introduce a financing model to help small farmers access advanced equipment.
Punjab produces most of Pakistan’s wheat, rice, and maize but still relies on outdated machinery, contributing to grain losses and routine burning of crop residues, a major source of air pollution, said ADB.
It noted the new project will promote modern mechanization, including rice harvesters, to address these issues.
ADB also approved $107 million for the Responsive, Ready, and Resilient STEM Secondary Education in Punjab Program, including a $7 million grant from the Asian Development Fund.
The results-based program aims to modernize secondary schooling by expanding inclusive STEM education, improving access and quality across the province.
A further $150 million concessional loan was approved for the Punjab Nursing and Health Workforce Reform Program, which will upgrade nursing curricula, develop disaster-resilient training facilities, strengthen workforce governance, and introduce digital human-resource systems.
The program seeks to expand the pool of qualified nurses to strengthen health service delivery and meet rising national and global demand.
Key components include the establishment of three centers of excellence in Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi, equipped with simulation labs, digital learning platforms, and gender-responsive hostels.
ADB said it remains committed to supporting climate-resilient and inclusive development across Asia and the Pacific through innovative financing tools and partnerships.
