Iran and Pakistan to restore border Hotline

ISLAMABAD: To ensure better border management, Pakistan and Iran agreed to restore the hotline contact between Pakistan and Iran and constitute operational committees as part of efforts to alleviate reservations, officials apprised media after the visiting Iranian foreign minister held wide-ranging talks with Pakistan’s civil and military authorities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Javed Zarif separately called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Interior Minister Ch Nisar Ali Khan and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

While talking to Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Javed Zarif, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over the increasing high level exchanges between Pakistan and Iran to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.

Nawaz Sharif maintained that both the countries would continue to expand economic interaction for promoting mutually-beneficial cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, energy and connectivity.

On the tragic incident that took place in the Iranian province of Sistan-Balochistan involving killing of 11 Iranian border security guards on 26 April, this year, the prime minister conveyed Pakistan’s condolences to the government and people of Iran.

The Iranian foreign minister thanked the prime minister and the government of Pakistan for continued efforts for strengthening the bilateral relations and enhancing interaction in all areas, including trade and economic cooperation as well as border and security issues. He also conveyed the desire of the Iranian leadership and the government for continued efforts for growth in bilateral ties.

Earlier, in his meeting with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Javad Zarif said that his country attached great importance to its relations with Pakistan. He said that Iran believed in the unity of Muslim countries. Both Pakistan and Iran would have to work together for resolution of problems being faced by the Ummah. He said the two countries also needed to move forward with consensus on matters of international importance.

In his remarks, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan pointed out that Pakistan-Iran relations were rooted in common faith, history and geography. He said Iran is a brotherly country and the hearts of the peoples of two countries beat together.

Pakistan and Iran agreed on improving the border coordination to deny any space to the terrorists, at a meeting held between Iran’s foreign minister and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters.

Issues of bilateral interest and regional security were discussed, the Inter-Services Public Relations press release said. In the meeting, tremendous bilateral cooperation potential was identified in various fields.

The visiting dignitary appreciated the efforts of Pakistan and Pakistan Army against terrorism. The COAS said Pakistan was committed to have lasting relations with Iran and would keep up its efforts to reduce friction amongst brotherly Muslim countries.