QUETTA: The Pakistan and Iran joint border commission has decided to set up three more immigration offices at the border between the two countries.

They have also decided to establish more markets at the border to generate economic activity for people living on both sides of the border.

This was announced at the 20th joint border commission meeting which concluded on Monday night in the Iranian port city of Chahbahar.

Taftan border to remain open all the time to facilitate pilgrims, traders

They discussed various issues such as terrorism, border violations, trade and problems related to the immigration facilities.

Balochistan Chief Secretary Saifullah Chattah led a 26-member delegation from Pakistan, while Deputy Governor of Sistan-Baluchestan Ali Asghar Mirshekari led the Iranian side in the meeting. Leaders of both the delegations signed off on the minutes of the meeting.

Immigration woes

According to official sources, many decisions were taken on important issues discussed at the meeting, including setting up of more immigration offices at the Pak-Iran border.

These offices, they said, would be set up at Mand in Kech district and Pishin and Gabd in Gwadar district to facilitate pilgrims, traders and other people who travel between both the countries.

“Three new immigration points will be inaugurated in May this year,” said a senior official who attended the meeting, adding that the border commission had made the decision to keep the Taftan border open round-the-clock to facilitate travellers.

It was decided at the meeting that new markets would be set up at the Pak-Iran border at different points to generate economic activity for people living on both sides of the border.

They also agreed to facilitate drivers from both countries to travel between Pakistan and Iran easily.

Official sources claimed that both countries had also agreed to share information with each other in case of any incidents.

Drugs and more

The commission also discussed drug-trafficking in border areas. A committee was established and assigned to look into the drug trade.

Both delegations vowed to fight to the menace of drugs.

After a discussion on terrorism, it was decided that hotlines would be set up at all levels, including the Balochistan Frontier Corps (FC) Inspector General and the Sistan-Baluchestan Commander Guards, FC commanders and their counterparts in Iran, deputy commissioners of Pakistan’s border towns with deputy commissioners on the Iranian side.

The two sides decided to take a firm stance for stopping smuggling of arms and ammunition between the two countries.

Fishermen and disputes

Starting a shipping line between Karachi and Chahbahar via Gwadar was also discussed at the joint border commission meeting on Monday.

Both the delegations decided that issues of fishermen both from Iran and Pakistan would be resolved. They added that fishing boats and vessels seized by both sides would be returned soon.

The Iranian and Pakistani delegations agreed on activating various committees to resolve border disputes.

The issue of repairing and installing pillars along the Pak-Iran border was also under discussion at the meeting.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2017