Pakistan seeks joint action with Iran on border security

Interior Minister Vahidi meets PM Imran, army chief

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday told Iranian Minister for Interior Dr Ahmad Vahidi that Pakistan considers the Pak-Iran border as a border of “peace and friendship” and called for joint cooperation between the two neighbours to address security issues.

The visit of the Iranian interior minister came against the backdrop of recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan that borders both Iran and Afghanistan. The Iranian minister, who was leading a delegation, also met his Pakistani counterpart Shaikh Rashid and separately held talks with Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The statements put out by the PM Office and the ISPR suggested that border security was one of the key agenda items. While the prime minister stressed joint cooperation to address security issues, the army chief said enhanced cooperation between the “two brotherly countries is vital for peace and stability in the region”.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction over positive momentum in the brotherly relations between the two countries and highlighted vast potential that exists for enhanced collaboration in diverse fields.
The army chief highlighted the need to put in collective efforts to deny any space or liberty of action to be exploited by miscreants along the Pak-Iran border.

Pak-Iran border symbol of peace, friendship: COAS

The military’s media wing said the geo-strategic environment, particularly the regional security situation and bilateral cooperation in defence and security domains were discussed during the meeting. “The Pak-Iran border security mechanism, including border markets, came under discussion,” the statement added.

The Iranian minister, as per the statement, stressed that stability in Afghanistan was a collective regional stability and appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace and stability, particularly humanitarian assistance being rendered to mitigate challenges faced by the people of Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the PM office in a separate statement said the prime minister particularly emphasised the importance of close bilateral collaboration to boost trade and regional connectivity.

The prime minister also stressed early completion and operationalisation of the border sustenance markets, for economic uplift of the people living on both sides of the border.

The prime minister thanked the Iranian government and the Supreme Leader for steadfast support for the just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

The prime minister also expressed satisfaction over the convergence of views regarding a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and underscored the importance of close coordination between the two countries.

The prime minister also stressed the need for urgent actions by the international community to prevent humanitarian crisis and economic meltdown in Afghanistan and measures to enhance practical engagement, strengthen stability, and counter terrorism.

The prime minister reiterated his invitation to President Raisi to visit Pakistan at an early date.
Interior Minister Dr Ahmad Vahidi conveyed cordial greetings of Iranian leadership to the Prime Minister and reaffirmed Iran’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations in all aspects.