Pakistan, Iran discuss border management, regional security

NSA Lt-Gen (retd) Nasser Janjua is also expected to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani during his tour to Iran

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security Lt-Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua on Monday discussed issues related to border management and regional security with his Iranian counterpart in Tehran.

Janjua left for Tehran on Sunday on the invitation of the Iranian government and with the approval of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, according to a statement issued by the PM House.

PHOTO: IRNA



“Iran is our brotherly country and an important neighbour. Pakistan attaches great importance to this tour and hopes it will be helpful in achieving all desired objectives,” the statement added.

During his tour, the NSA is also expected to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and other high-ranking Iranian officials.

PHOTO: IRNA

The NSA’s visit to Iran comes at a time when Islamabad and Kabul are poised to discuss a mechanism to keep in check illegal cross-border movement on the Pakistan, Afghanistan border.

Pakistan introduced a new mechanism from June 1, making it obligatory for every Afghan citizen to carry legal travel documents for entering into the Pakistani territory.

Earlier, thousands of Afghans, living near the border, would enter Pakistan without passport and visas. Pakistani officials insist that the militants would take advantage of the loose border control and would move on either sides of the border for carrying out terrorist activities.



Afghanistan had complained that Pakistan introduced the new system without consulting it. Both sides had last month involved in border clashes over the construction of a gate on the Pakistani side of the border at Torkham.

Later, the two countries agreed on a ceasefire and a joint committee to address to the border disputes. Pakistan and Afghanistan have a nearly 2,600km-long border, mostly porous.