QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri said on Thursday that all countries should play their role to eliminate terrorism from the region.

“Pakistan is a peaceful country and wants better ties with all countries, particularly with its neighbours including Iran,” he said.

Mr Zehri was talking to a group of Iranian journalists who called on him at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat here.

Pakistan was playing an important role regarding eradication of terrorism and had rendered great sacrifices in the war against terrorism, Mr Zehri said.

“We are the victims of terrorism and strongly denounce all acts of terrorism,” he said, adding that all countries should play their role to eliminate the militant Islamic State group and other terrorist groups that operate from Afghanistan and try to destabilise Pakistan.

The chief minister said that Pakistan and Iran were enjoying old brotherly relations and had always helped each other in the hour of need.

In Pakistan Shias and Sunnis had equal rights and lived with peace and harmony because “we are all Pakistanis”.

The chief minister said that Pakistan had established a special security division to protect the Gwadar port and other projects falling under the umbrella of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. He said the Balochistan government was providing extraordinary security to members of the Shia community and Shia pilgrims travelling to Iran.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2017