QUETTA: Aaqai Ali Osat Hashemi, the Governor of Iranian province of Sistan-Baluchestan, has said that there are no border disputes and tensions between Pakistan and Iran and some non-state actors were involved in attacks on Iranian checkposts and killing of soldiers across the border.

Addressing a press conference along with Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch at the end of his two-day visit to Quetta on Sunday, Mr Hashemi said that Iran had requested the authorities in Pakistan to help in returning the bodies of Iranian soldiers killed in such attacks.

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani, IG Police Amlish Khan and other senior officials were present at the press conference.

Governor Hashemi, who headed a high-level Iranian delegation, held meetings with government leaders and military officials, including Balochistan Governor Mohammad Khan Achakzai and Chief Minister Dr Baloch and discussed issues relating to trade, militant attacks and mortar shelling by Iranian forces on Pakistani border areas. Views were also exchanged on the problem of smuggling.

Responding to a question, Mr Hashemi revealed that “law and order have never been an issue in Pak-Iran border areas and both countries have not faced any threat from each other and will not face any in future”.

There were some elements, he added, who were involved in attacking Iranian forces inside Iran. Non-state actors were polluting the environment, he asserted.

Responding to another question, Mr Hashemi said that the outlaws targeted Iranian forces and recently killed some Iranian security personnel and took away their bodies.

Relations between the two countries are cordial and Iran wants to strengthen them. People of both countries, Governor Hashemi said, had love and respect for each other.

He said Iran wanted accords signed between the two countries implemented without delay and all agreed projects launched. Iran also wants Pak-Iran gas pipeline project started as soon as possible because it is in the interest of both countries.

Mr Hashemi said that Iran was ready to fully cooperate with Pakistan on gas and electricity projects and willing to extend technical cooperation.

Chief Minister Dr Baloch said Balochistan wanted to provide more incentives for increasing trade and would welcome Iranian investments in mineral, agriculture, livestock and fisheries and other sectors.

“We want trade with Iran also through the border towns of Kech, Gwadar and Panjgur. At present, trade is done only through Taftan,” he said.

He said both countries should act jointly to prevent unpleasant incidents on the border. “We want to deal with such incidents by taking joint steps.”

Dr Baloch said Pakistan wanted completion of the gas pipeline project and was determined to launch it soon.

Published in Dawn January 12th , 2014

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