March 18, 2003	Tuesday	Muharram 14, 1424

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QUETTA, March 17: Pakistan and Iran signed a document on Monday night aimed at enhancing cooperation in joint border patrols and combating drug trafficking and human smuggling.

The document was inked after the 13th meeting of the joint Pak-Iran Border Commission that lasted for two days.

Chief Secretary Balochistan Major (retd) Mohammad Ashraf Nasar, who is also chairman of the joint commission, signed the agreement on behalf of Pakistan. And, Deputy Governor-General of Iranian province of Sistan-Balochistan Daniyal Mulai signed the document on behalf of his government.

“This is a continuous process aimed at improving our efficiency to combat drug trafficking, human smuggling and other criminal activities along the border,” Mr Nasar told reporters after the signing ceremony.

He said the process of consultation between Islamabad and Tehran would continue to further enhance cooperation in this respect.

“We have brotherly relationship. There is no issue between the two countries that cannot be resolved,” he added.

The head of the Iranian delegation in his concluding remarks said the two sides held very open and frank discussions in a very congenial atmosphere.

He expressed the hope that the two sides would try their best to implement the decisions taken in the meeting. “I hope that whatever we have decided will be materialized,” he added.

The meeting reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken in the last meeting and discussed various suggestions for the solution of problems being faced in this regard.

The Commission in its meeting discussed issues pertaining to the joint patrolling in the border area, prevention of drug and other smuggling, handing over of wanted people to each other, close and effective contacts between border officials and avoidance of violation of border rules and regulations.

The Balochistan chief secretary was assisted in the talks by Brigadier Khalid Kibriya, deputy inspector-general Frontier Corps, Home Secretary Dr Badaruddin Aujan, Deputy Secretary Federal Interior Ministry Mohammad Ibrahim, and Pakistani Consul-General in Zahidan.