DURING talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said border security is a common concern for Pakistan and Iran which could be tackled through greater cooperation, underscoring the need for enhanced security at the borders.
Border security has long remained a major source of distrust in bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran.
The two countries share a 909 kilometre long border which is infested with criminal gangs, militants and drug traffickers.
There have been violent incidents in the past on both sides of the border as well as attacks on security forces of the two countries.
Steps taken by the two countries including institution of several border mechanisms to improve security have indeed helped improve the situation. However, occasional incidents keep straining the relations.
In this backdrop, the very remarks of the Iranian President are very encouraging and certainly there is no other option but greater collaboration amongst the security forces to check the movement of undesirable elements and transnational crimes such as drug and human trafficking.
Pakistan is already erecting fence to check unauthorized cross border movement at a cost of Rs 3 billion.
This project is expected to be completed by the end of this year which in our view will go a long way in improving the border security situation.
Nonetheless, being the porous border, the need for intelligence sharing and greater cooperation between the security apparatus will always be felt in order to secure the border.
Our enemy is common and should not be allowed to hurt the relationship.
Over the last few years, there has been a significant improvement in the relationship between the two countries.
The opening of new crossing points and establishment of trade centres at border areas show the commitment on both sides to bolster their trade and economic relations.
This indeed will be a win-win situation and help further bring peoples of both the countries closer to each other.
Both the fraternal countries can immensely benefit from each other’s experience in different fields. Linking Gwadar and Chabahar will make this region hub of trade.
