Iran soil will not be used against Pakistan, assures Ahmad Vahidi
Pakistan and Iran have agreed to form Joint Working Groups (JWGs) to strengthen bilateral relations.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have agreed to form Joint Working Groups (JWGs) to strengthen bilateral relations.
The understanding was reached in a joint declaration issued after the meeting of a nine-member visiting Iranian delegation led by Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi with Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed in Islamabad today.
The two sides agreed to set up markets on Pak-Iran borders and increase the number of border terminals. They also exchanged views on completing fencing work on the Pakistan-Iran border at the earliest, Radio Pakistan reported.
It was agreed that the territory of Pakistan and Iran should not be used for terrorist activities against each other. The meeting also discussed the regional security situation, the looming humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan and other important issues.
ایران کے وزیر داخلہ ڈاکٹراحمد وحیدی (H.E. Dr Ahmed Vahidi) کا دورہ پاکستان
ایرانی وزیر داخلہ ڈاکٹراحمد وحیدی کی اپنے ہم منصب شیخ رشید احمد سے ملاقات
وزیر داخلہ کی قیادت میں ایرانی وفد اور وزارت داخلہ کے اعلی حکام کے درمیان دو طرفہ مذاکرات
1/9 pic.twitter.com/EbpTwgh5eO— Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (@ShkhRasheed) February 14, 2022
It also discussed prisoner exchanges and facilitating zaireen. Ways to prevent illegal human immigration and drug trafficking were also discussed during the meeting.
On the occasion, the Iranian interior minister strongly condemned recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan and said his country considers the terrorist attack on Pakistan as an attack on Iran. The Iranian Interior Minister said Pakistan and Iran have long-lasting historic ties.
On his part, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed thanked Iran for supporting Pakistan’s position on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He said the recent increase in terrorist incidents is regrettable and joint cooperation is needed to end it.
Sheikh Rasheed said the international community should help the Afghan people as a severe scarcity of resources could lead to a humanitarian crisis in that country. He said Pakistan would continue to play its positive role for lasting peace in the region and the welfare of the Afghan people.
Iranian espionage network
Sources told News360 that Pakistan has also raised the issue of the Iranian espionage network busted in Pakistan besides seeking action against handlers of terrorists in its territory with the interior minister.
Earlier in the month, Pakistan intelligence agencies had arrested a senior grade-19 government officer who was working for an Iranian intelligence agency and involved in money laundering.
A senior grade-19 level government officer of the central bank’s subsidiary House Building Finance Company (HBFC) had been arrested over accusations of money laundering & financing different groups in Pakistan, at the behest of the Iranian intelligence agency.
The arrested man was identified as Syed Wisal Haider Naqvi. He was arrested in a joint operation conducted by a federal intelligence agency and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) economic crime wing.
The senior officer of the Sindh government was allegedly heading a money-laundering network to finance Iranian “assets” in Pakistan. Sources said that 13 members of the Iranian espionage network had already been arrested earlier in January.
Vahidi meets PM Imran Khan
Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi had met PM Imran Khan during his visit to Pakistan.
PM Khan expressed satisfaction over positive momentum in brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran and said that vast potential exists for enhanced collaboration in diverse fields.
During the meeting, the premier emphasised on early completion and operationalisation of border sustenance markets for the economic uplift of people living on both sides of the Pak-Iran border. He emphasised the importance of close bilateral collaboration to boost trade and regional connectivity.
Underscoring that the Pakistan-Iran border was a border of peace and friendship, the premier underlined the importance of joint cooperation to address security issues. He thanked the Iranian government and the Supreme Leader for steadfast support for the just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
PM Khan expressed satisfaction over the convergence of views regarding a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and underscored the importance of close coordination between the two countries.
He 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 Iranian interior minister conveyed cordial greetings of the Iranian leadership to PM Imran Khan and reaffirmed Iran’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations in all aspects.
Vahidi calls on COAS Bajwa
Ahmad Vahida had held a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa along with a delegation on Monday (yesterday) at General Headquarters (GHQ) yesterday.
COAS Bajwa had called for collective efforts to deny any space or liberty of action to be exploited by miscreants along the Pak-Iran border.
Terming the Pak-Iran border as the border of peace and friendship, he had said that enhanced cooperation between the two brotherly neighbours is vital for peace and stability in the region.
Besides, geo-strategic environment particularly regional security situation and bilateral cooperation in defence and security domains were discussed during the meeting. They also exchanged views on the Pak-Iran border security mechanism including border markets.
The visiting dignitary while acknowledging stability in Afghanistan as collective regional responsibility, appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace and stability, particularly humanitarian assistance being rendered to mitigate challenges faced by the people of Afghanistan.
