Pakistan, Iran to hold ‘high border commission’ meeting in Islamabad next month

TEHRAN: Pakistan and Iran on Monday agreed to hold a ‘High Border Commission’ meeting next month in Islamabad, ARY News reported.

A joint statement was issued after Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday concluded a two-day official visit to Iran. This was Mr. Khan’s first visit to the neighbouring country since he assumed office in August 2018.

Both the sides agreed on signing of declaration for cooperation in healthcare sector. Pakistan also welcomed the initiation of the process for release of a number of Pakistani prisoners by Iran and their repatriation to Pakistan. In Tehran, PM Khan held one-on-one and delegation-level talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, and called on the Iranian Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

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It was decided that the next meeting of the joint consular commission will be held in Islamabad after June 2019.

Both Pakistan and Iran also agreed to join hands for promoting efforts for peace in Afghanistan through an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led solution and evolving a broader regional consensus in this regard.

The two sides consented on early opening of new crossing points at Gabd-Reemdan and Mand-Pishien and agreement in principle on opening of new border market will be discussed during the High Border Commission in Islamabad.

Iran also called for peaceful solution of Kashmir dispute based on the will of the Kashmiri people and in line with the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The president of Iran also accepted an official invitation extended by Prime Minister Imran Khan for a visit to Pakistan.

Bilaterally, the two sides exchanged views on issues related to Pakistan-Iran border security; facilitation of Pakistani pilgrims and pilgrims travelling every year in large numbers to Iran; overcoming hindrances in promotion of bilateral trade and economic activity; opening of new border crossing points, establishment of new border market; enhancing cooperation in energy, consular, health, railways sectors; and promotion of cultural collaboration, tourism and people to people exchanges between the two countries.

PM Imran Khan was accompanied by a high level delegation including Minister for Human Rights Dr. Shireen M. Mazari, Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services and Regulation Zafarullah Mirza.