QUETTA: Iranian authorities have indicated to open nine more zero-point gates on the Pak-Iran border along with five districts of Balochistan for increasing trade with Pakistan.

The idea was discussed at a meeting of the Pak-Iran Permanent Border Committee held recently in Mir Javah, an Iranian town on the Pak-Iran border.

Deputy commissioners of five districts — Gwadar, Chagai, Turbat, Panjgur and Washuk — and senior officials of Frontier Corps represented Pakistan. The Iranian team headed by Deputy Director Law-Enforcement Hasan Najad comprised 10 senior civil and military officials.

Pakistani officials suggested that more zero-point gates should be opened at the border for the promotion of trade between the two countries and creation of jobs for local people.

After returning from Mir Javah on Tuesday, Pakistani officials said that Iranian officials had assured them that they would take up the suggestion for opening more gates with authorities in Tehran.

Deputy Commissioner of Chagai Saifullah Khetran said Pakistani officials had conveyed to their Iranian counterparts their concerns about incidents of border violations and firing of mortar shells from Iranian side on Pakistani territory.

Officials of Pakistan and Iran hold meeting in border town Mir Javah

He said the two sides had agreed to increase intelligence sharing for taking action against anti-peace elements and human and drug smugglers.

The deputy commissioner said the two sides had also agreed to increase joint patrolling by Pakistan and Iranian border forces along the border.

The officials of two countries had decided to hold a meeting of the Pak-Iran Permanent Committee after every six months, he said, adding that a meeting of officials of districts of both the countries along with the border would be held every month.

Other Pakistani officials who attended the meeting included deputy commissioners of Washuk, Panjgur, Turbat and Gwadar, Khan Mohammad Bangulzai, Syed Mehrab Shah, Mamtaz Ali and Abdul Hameed Abro, respectively, and Commandant of Frontier Corps Taftan Rifles Col Irfan Ashraf Cheema.

Published in Dawn December 24th , 2014