Pakistan, Iran to beef up border security

Pakistan and Iran on Tuesday agreed to strengthen border security to curb drug trafficking and militants infiltration from Afghanistan. The two sides agreed to beef up border security in a meeting between Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Iranian Interior Minister Mustafa Mohammad Najjar. They discussed matters pertaining to drug trafficking and militant infiltration from Afghanistan.

An official said that both the countries have discussed ways to boost bilateral co-operation. The meeting also discussed the draft of a security agreement between the two countries, he added. Interior Minister Rehman Malik while talking to media after the meeting said Iran and Pakistan are working to bring peace in the region and both the countries are suffering due to smuggling of drugs from Afghanistan.

Rehman Malik said both sides have discussed security measures for the pilgrims visiting Iran. The co-operation between Iran and Pakistan is very close and added that we are neighbours and friends. The minister said Iran and Pakistan will work further to stop drug trafficking. Pakistan and Iran have some border issues which we have discussed in detail and will make efforts to solve them, he said.

Najjar said Pak-Iran trade relations are improving. He said security is being beefed up at the Pak-Iran border to check the infiltration of Afghan militants and to curb drug trafficking. He said intelligence sharing between the two countries would play active role in curbing drug trafficking. The regional anti-narcotics conference would help devise a strategy to eliminate the centre of poppy production in Afghanistan, he added.