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Updated 27 May, 2017 07:43pm

Pak-Iran border commission formed to work on outstanding issues, Sartaj Aziz says

The prime minister's adviser on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, on Wednesday said a Pak-Iran border commission has been formed and will hold its first meeting within a month.

He said the commission will comprise four members from each country.

Pakistan and Iran had agreed last week to constitute an operational committee at various levels to ensure better border management.

During a meeting between Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, it was agreed that the two countries would cooperate with each other for effective border management and to curb drug trafficking and illegal cross border movement through intelligence-sharing.

"Smugglers and other elements are also present along the Pak-Iran border," Aziz said while speaking to the media, noting that the border issues facing the countries are not limited to terrorism.

Aziz also noted that a larger number of members of Jaish-e-Adl, a militant group responsible for a recent attack on Iranian guards on the Pak-Iran border, are present on the Iranian side of the border.

"Terrorists can enter [Pakistan] from Iran, as well," Aziz said.

Chaman crossing partially re-opened

"Afghanistan and Iran are not enemies of Pakistan," Aziz said as he informed the press that the Chaman crossing on the Pak-Afghan border has been partially opened.

"In the first phase, Afghans suffering from ill-health are being allowed to cross the border," the adviser added while speaking to the media.

"Border management with Afghanistan is very important," the adviser said, urging the Afghan government to take action against militants belonging to the Islamic State group and the Afghanistan Taliban operating on its soil.

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