Larijani: Border Insecurity Affecting Iran-Pakistan Ties

Tehran, March 3, IRNA -- Majlis (Parliament) Speaker Ali Larijani warned that uncontrolled acts of sabotage by criminals along the Iran-Pakistan border can affect ties between both countries. Larijani’s remarks came as officials in Pakistan said on Saturday that security forces have freed 11 foreign hostages, including eight Iranians and three Tunisians, who had been held by militants in the southwest town of Turbat near the Iranian border. ˈLarijani said acts of sabotage along the Iran and Pakistan border will lead to misunderstandings in the relations between the two countries,ˈ Larijani said in a meeting with Speaker of Provincial Assembly of Balouchistan Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali in Tehran on Sunday. “It is necessary that Pakistani security bodies seriously and speedily resolve the issue of Iranian nationals being taken hostage,” Larijani added. He noted that Iran and Pakistan have always enjoyed amicable ties which are crucial for supporting the expansion of political, economic and cultural relations between the two countries. According to Pakistani officials, the freed hostages did not include the five Iranian border guards kidnapped in February by a terrorist group, which calls itself Jaish al-Adl. Iran has repeatedly declared that it holds the Pakistani government responsible for the lives of the Iranian hostages. Jamali, for his part, said the presence of foreign powers in the region has created insecurity and called for formation of joint intelligence and security commissions and constant cooperation in order to promote regional peace and stability. He added that his country’s officials are determined to settle the issue of abducted Iranians as soon as possible. A week ago, Tehran and Islamabad held a joint border commission meeting in the Pakistani city of Quetta to discuss the abductions. In February 2013, Iran and Pakistan signed a security agreement under which both countries are required to cooperate in preventing and combating organized crime, fighting terrorism and countering the activities that pose a threat to the national security of either country. Iran has repeatedly called on Pakistan to comply with the terms of the agreement./end