Security concerns: Pakistan, Iran discuss border incidents

Both sides agree to work under existing mechanisms for security.

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan and Iran have agreed to work together within the parameters of existing mechanisms to address security-related issues, particularly the recent border incidents.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Pacific Affairs Ibrahim Rahimpour and Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Tehran recently urged Islamabad to boost control over its borders with the Islamic Republic after at least 14 Iranian border guards were killed by militants last month. Although the Foreign Office did not officially confirm the development, the premier’s adviser and the visiting diplomat discussed measures to prevent such incidents in the future during their meeting.

A statement issued by the Foreign Office said both sides have agreed to work together under existing mechanisms to address security concerns. Under a security pact signed earlier in February, Pakistan and Iran agreed to cooperate to prevent and combat organised crime, and thwart any activities, terrorist or otherwise, which pose a threat to the national security of either country.



According to the Foreign Office statement, the Iranian diplomat said the country’s new government under President Hassan Rouhani wanted to improve relations with other countries in the region. He added that Pakistan figured high on Iran’s foreign policy and Tehran was keen on improving bilateral ties between the two nations.

During the meeting, the adviser and the Iranian deputy foreign minister expressed satisfaction over the friendly and cordial relations between the two brotherly countries. However, they underscored the need to increase high level contacts, especially in the context of expanding bilateral economic and trade relations.

In this regard, both sides agreed to hold the next session of the joint ministerial commission meeting at an early date in order to review the entire range of bilateral economic relations.

Aziz also told the visiting dignitary that he looked forward to meeting with Iran’s foreign minister during the upcoming Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Council of Ministers Meeting in Tehran.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2013.