Certain elements trying to sabotage Pakistan-Iran peace efforts: FM

Decision taken to fence, increase surveillance along Pak-Iran border, Qureshi tells NA

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday said there were some elements working to sabotage peace efforts between Iran and Pakistan.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Qureshi asserted that those trying to disrupt peace between the neighbours would never be successful.

The foreign minister said he had held four meetings with his Iranian foreign minister over recent months and that Islamabad had conveyed its concerns to Tehran, particularly after the recent spate of violence in Balochistan.



"We have asked Iran to cooperate with us as we hold an inquiry into the Ormara terror incident," Qureshi told the NA, referring to the killing of 14 passengers, including Pakistan Navy personnel, in Balochistan's Ormara area.

The foreign minister also told the NA that a decision had been taken to fence the border between Pakistan and Iran. "Surveillance is also being increased along the border and new headquarters will be set up in Turbat," he said.

"These steps are part of our efforts to illegal border crossings."

On relations with Afghanistan, Qureshi said Prime Minister Imran Khan has communicated with Afghan leaders "to clear any misunderstandings".