ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed Islamabad’s embassy in Iran to extend “all possible assistance” to the families of at least 35 Pakistani religious tourists killed in a bus accident near the Iranian city of Yazd.
Pakistan’s state-run Radio Pakistan said the accident happened when a bus carrying Pakistani nationals overturned due to a brake failure, killing at least 35 and injuring 15.
“May the injured recover at the earliest,” PM Sharif wrote on X. “I have directed our Mission in Tehran to extend all possible assistance to the affected families.”
President Asif Ali Zardari separately instructed the ministry of foreign affairs to arrange the repatriation of bodies and ensure timely assistance for the injured.
The accident was confirmed earlier in the day by Iran International in a social media post.
The media outlet said over 25,000 Pakistanis had entered Iran for an onward journey to Karbala, Iraq, to participate in the 40-day mourning rituals at the shrine of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Every year, thousands of Pakistanis travel to Iran, Iraq and Syria to visit shrines and religious sites there.
Pakistani Ambassador to Iran, Mudassir Tipu, said he was in contact with the Iranian government and the Yazd Mayor’s office.
“We thank Iran for extending excellent cooperation,” he said. “We kindly request your support and patience in this hour of grief.”
