Based on what agreed during several meetings between top Iranian political-military-security delegation with highest Pakistani civil and military leaders, and also based on promises and commitments offered by Pakistani leaders, more effective and practical measures are expected in the near future along the border areas to avoid smuggling and terrorist activities.
Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during the recent visit to Pakistan, was of the view that friendly ties between the two countries do deserve more security at border areas and better collaboration between the two sides on border security issues.
This is the first time that such a high-level Iranian delegation comprising of political, security and military officials visited Pakistan on border issue.
On April 26, nine Iranian border guards were martyred and two others injured by terrorists near Pakistan border in southeastern province of Sistan and Balouchestan, when they were patrolling at the zero border point. The terrorists after the killings and abducting one Iranian border guard fled to Pakistans territories.
President Hassan Rouhani in a written massage to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had asked Pakistan to take urgent and serious measures for securing borders and bring terrorist elements to justice.
Iranian delegation in its day-long visit to Pakistan demanded Pakistani authorities to try their best to avoid repetition of such incidents in future. They also asked Pakistan to help in the recovery of the border guard kidnapped by the terrorists and taken to the Pakistani soil.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to work closely for promoting mutual cooperation in the areas, including effective border management, curbing drug trafficking and checking illegal cross-border movement.
The two sides also agreed to revive hot line contact between the military and border commanders. Iran and Pakistan have also expressed resolve to convene the meeting of Joint border commission as early as possible to help resolving the border issues.
The two countries were unanimous in their views that they are willing to go an extra mile for furthering Pakistan-Iran cooperation, especially in the areas of mutual interest and concern.
Pakistan Army Chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa in the meeting with Iranian delegation assured Iran that Pakistan will deploy more troops to prevent terrorist attacks in the border region.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif also assured Iran that Pakistan will make all efforts to bring the culprits to justice. He reiterated that any threat to Iran equals to a threat to Pakistan.
National Security Adviser of Pakistan Nasser Khan Janjua has also expressed the resolve that no one would be allowed to hurt the relationship between the two countries.
Interior minister of Pakistan Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan during the meetings said Iran and Pakistan are 'two countries with one soul'.
During the visit, Iran and Pakistan have also decided that operational committees at various levels would be constituted.
The committees would identify areas of cooperation, addressing mutual concerns and suggesting a way forward for further enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries with special focus on border management, information and intelligence sharing and curbing illegal human and drug trafficking.
The days and after lifting of nuclear sanctions on Iran, trade and business authorities of both sides are trying hard to promote bilateral trade volume. Iran-Pakistan share almost 1,000 KM of border line and the border crossings between the two neighbors are most appropriate gates to boost the trade exchanges.
But good business and dynamic trade activities could not be realized if there is no security.
*IRNA bureau chief, Islamabad
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