Islamabad, Tehran vow not to allow ‘third party’ use their soil against each other

Army Chief Gen Bajwa meets Iranian Defence Minister Brig-Gen Amir Hatami in Tehran and visits Revolutionary Guards HQ

Pakistan and Iran have decided to ensure that their soil will not be used by any 'third party' against any of the two neighbouring countries, the army’s media wing said on Tuesday.

The agreement was reached during a meeting of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa with Iran's Defence Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami in Tehran, said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The army chief also visited Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) headquarters where he interacted with their senior leadership during the second day of his three-day visit to the neighbouring country.

COAS in Iran. Met Iranian Def Minister, visited IRGC HQ. Both sides agreed that their soils will not be allowed to be used by third party against each other. pic.twitter.com/hpQPrhdDam

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) November 7, 2017

The two leaders agreed over establishment of hotline communication between the field commanders along Pak-Iran border, fencing by Iran on their side of the border, coordinated border patrolling, intelligence sharing and more frequent interactions between the two countries.

The Iranian defence minister thanked Gen Qamar for his trip, acknowledged achievements of Pakistan Army in war against terrorism and expressed his country’s willingness to enhance defence cooperation, said the communique.

“Our policy is to develop relations with our neighbours and Pakistan has a special place in Iranian foreign policy,” he added.

The COAS highlighted that with improved special measures by Islamabad on Pak-Afghan border, terrorists were likely to exploit Pak-Iran friendly border and both countries need to put in efforts to deny its use by them.