QUETTA: The Pak-Iran Joint Border Commission discussed on Wednesday setting up of new markets on both sides of the border.

The Deputy Governor of Sistan-Baluchistan, Ali Asghar Mir Shekari, led the Iranian delegation, while Balochistan Chief Secretary Saifullah Chattah headed the Pakistan delegation at a meeting of the commission.

Official sources said both countries wanted to discourage illegal trade in border areas.

An agreement is expected to be signed at the end of the two-day meeting on Thursday.

“Lot of work has been done and progress made during the meeting on the issue of establishing new border markets,” a senior official told Dawn.

The meeting reviewed measures being taken to curb terrorism, control illegal border-crossing, smuggling of narcotics and installation of surveillance equipment on the border.

The Balochistan chief secretary said such meetings had great importance. “The current meeting will help in resolving several border-related issues,” he said.

Provincial Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani told Dawn that the meeting discussed several issues and devised strategies to resolve them.

“It was decided that no room will be left for terrorists and they will be brought to justice,” he said.

The Sistan-Baluchistan deputy governor said the two countries had resolved to make joint efforts against terrorism and narcotics smuggling.

He said the new border markets would be set up in light of suggestions from both sides.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2016