Pakistan‚ India agree to resolve border-related issues

Five day bi-annual meeting between officials from the two countries ends in Lahore.

LAHORE: Pakistan and India have reiterated their commitment to continue efforts for ensuring peace and tranquility on the working boundary and the international border, Radio Pakistan reported.

This was said in a statement issued after a five-day bi-annual meeting between senior officials of Pakistan Rangers and Indian Border Security Force at the Punjab Rangers Headquarters in Lahore on Saturday. The meeting followed the meeting between the Director Generals of Military Operations of Pakistan and India earlier this week.

The two sides also reached consensus to use the available communication channels more effectively to control violation at the borders.

Officials from both sides agreed on zero tolerance for smuggling. It was also agreed that inadvertent crossers would be returned immediately to their respective countries.

A consensus was developed on matters like the stoppage of illegal construction‚ removal of wild growth and maintenance of boundary pillars.

The meeting was held after a gap of nearly 18 months.

Another meeting is scheduled to be held in the Indian capital of New Delhi during the first half of next year.

After witnessing the national flag-lowering parade at the Indo-Pak joint check-post of Wagah on Saturday evening‚ the Indian Border Security Force delegation crossed back over the border.