Pakistan, Iran ready for real border management

• Islamabad, Tehran not to allow anyone to use borders, lands against each other
• ‘Pakistan, Iran have no other option but to work hand in hand to overcome challenges’

Pakistan and Iran on Wednesday decided to constitute operational committees at various levels to identify areas of cooperation, addressing mutual concerns and suggesting way forward for further enhancing bilateral ties.

During a meeting here, Minister for Interior Affairs Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Iran’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reaffirmed to work closely for furthering bilateral relations. A 12-member high-powered Iranian delegation, headed by the foreign minister, was on an official visit to Pakistan.

Both Nisar and Zarif reaffirmed to further promotion of mutual cooperation, encompassing all areas of mutual interest and concerns including effective border management, curbing drug trafficking and checking illegal cross border movement through better coordination, greater intelligence sharing and frequent interactions at political, military, security and at level of various ministries.

On behalf of their governments, the two ministers also reaffirmed their commitment not to allow anyone to use their borders and lands against each other. At the outset of the meeting, the two leaders while reciprocating warm sentiments observed that being immediate neighbours and sharing strong cultural, religious and historical ties, Pakistan and Iran have no other option but to work hand in hand to overcome existing challenges at individual, regional as well as international level.

In order to remove irritants and overcome issues of mutual concerns in areas of border management, illegal human and drug trafficking, the two leaders decided that the operational committees would be constituted for identification of areas of cooperation, addressing concerns and suggesting way forward for further enhancing cooperation with special focus on border management, information and intelligence sharing.

The two sides agreed in principle to revive hotline between border security forces of the two countries in order to resolve any issues at border. The two sides were unanimous in their views that they were willing to extra mile for furthering cooperation especially on areas of mutual interest. Nisar said that visit of the high-ranking Iranian officials would provide momentum to existing bilateral relations and promoting multifaceted cooperation.

“Your visit will send a strong message to those who wanted to undermine Pak-Iran relations and always look for an opportunity to create mistrust between the two friendly countries,” he observed. Pakistan and Iran were tied together with strong bonds of common faith, history and culture, he said, adding that the two countries not only share geographical boundaries but also common issues and problems.

“We must join hands to overcome our mutual issues, securing peace and stability for the region and more importantly for the security and economic prosperity of our people,” Nisar said. Dr Zarif extended invitation to the interior minister to visit Iran, observing such high-level visits would add momentum to efforts, aimed at further cementing bilateral relations and cooperation.