Breaking: Pakistan, Iran to set up joint 'rapid reaction force' for border security

[Big Tank]

TEHRAN: Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan agreed on Monday to set up a joint border "reaction force" to counter terrorism.

"We agreed to create a joint rapid reaction force at the borders for combating terrorism," Rouhani said, following months of increased tensions over attacks on both sides of the two countries' frontier.

Addressing a joint press conference with Rouhani, Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is on his maiden official two-day visit to Iran, said Pakistan has resolved not to allow any militant group to operate from its soil.

"We have been facing [impact] of terrorism since long. In Pakistan, we have suffered more terrorism than probably any other country. In the past [few years] we have lost around 70,000 people. Full appreciation must be made for our security agencies, with the way they tackled terrorism in Pakistan," the premier said.

"We are committed to not let it happen again. We will not allow any militant group to operate from our soil. We will not allow our soil to be used by anyone against anyone."

"I felt that the issue of terrorism was going to increase differences between Pakistan and Iran. So it's very important that we [resolve] this issue," PM Imran added.

PM Imran and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani held talks at the Saadabad presidential palace in Tehran earlier today.

The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional issues and ways and means to further bolster their relations in diverse fields.

Prime Minister Imran, who is in Iran on a two-day official visit, was earlier presented with an official welcome upon his arrival at the Saadabad Palace.

A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency on April 22, 2019 shows Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Iranian capital Tehran/AFP

The premier will also call on Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and meet Pakistani and Iranian business community during the visit.

The prime minister landed at the Tehran International Airport on Sunday, where he was warmly welcomed by Iranian Health Minister Dr Saeed Namaki. A smartly turned out contingent also presented him a static salute.

A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency on April 22, 2019 shows Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (L) and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, reveiwing honour guard in the Iranian capital Tehran/AFP

Prime Minister Imran is accompanied by a delegation comprising Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari, Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfiqar Bukhari, Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Zafarullah Mirza and Special Assistant on Petroleum Nadeem Baber.

Earlier, the premier arrived in Mashhad for a brief stop-over on his way to Tehran, where he visited the shrine of Hazrat Imam Raza and offered dua and nawafil.

PM Imran's visit to Iran, the first since he took office last year, comes days after gunmen shot dead 14 people, including Pakistan Navy personnel, near Ormara in Balochistan.

On Saturday, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Islamabad had evidence the "terrorist outfits" that carried out the attack have "training and logistic camps inside Iranian areas bordering Pakistan".

 

[war&peace]

That's a good news.

 

[hasnainfirst]

Pakistan, Iran to set up joint 'rapid reaction force' for border security


TEHRAN: Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan agreed on Monday to set up a joint border "rapid reaction force" to counter terrorism.

The understanding came at a meeting between the two leaders in Tehran earlier today. Prime Minister Imran Khan is on an official two-day visit to Iran, his first visit to the country since assuming the office.

Addressing a joint news conference later, the Iranian president said it was unfortunate that the two countries had witnessed tensions in the border areas in the recent past, where the terrorists had perpetrated their nefarious acts.

He said both the sides reaffirmed their commitment to peace and security in the entire region, during the talks.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, addressing the press conference, said Pakistan has resolved not to allow any militant group to operate from its soil.

"We have been facing [impact] of terrorism since long.In Pakistan, we have suffered more terrorism than probably any other country. In the past [few years] we have lost around 70,000 people. Full appreciation must be made for our security agencies, with the way they tackled terrorism in Pakistan," the premier said.

"We are committed to not let it happen again. We will not allow any militant group to operate from our soil. We will not allow our soil to be used by anyone against anyone."

"I felt that the issue of terrorism was going to increase differences between Pakistan and Iran. So it's very important that we [resolve] this issue," he added.

On the ongoing peace talks in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Imran said peace in the war-ravaged country was in the interests of both Pakistan and Iran.

"We will cooperate with each other in helping bring a political settlement in Afghanistan," he said.

"Without justice there is no peace. Huge injustice is being done to the Palestinian people. Israel's decision to occupy Bolan and make Jerusalem its capital is against international norms. Similarly, atrocities being done to the Kashmiris are condemnable," the premier added.

He stressed that peace and stability in the region could only come from dialogue, not military might. "We hope there will be a peaceful political settlement in Kashmir."

Recalling his visit to Iran while he was still studying, Prime Minister Imran said he appreciated how Iran has become a very egalitarian society.

"This should be appreciated. This is what the Iranian Revolution did. This is what we envision as Naya Pakistan. We want to see the divide between the rich and the poor in Pakistan reduce, like it has reduced in Iran," the premier noted.

On a lighter note, he remarked, "If the British had not colonised the subcontinent, we wouldn't be needing an interpreter because all of us would be speaking Persian, [which had long been the court language in the subcontinent]."

'Iran ready to meet oil and gas requirements of Pakistan'
Iranian President Rouhani said his country is ready to meet the oil and gas requirements of Pakistan, adding that Iran has already taken measures to construct a gas pipeline to the Pakistani border.

He said Iran is also ready to increase exports of electricity to Pakistan.

Emphasising that "no third country can harm the brotherly and close relations between the two countries",Rouhani said the two sides agreed to bolster their trade and economic relations and to set up a barter committee so that goods and other items could be exchanged.

The president said Iran is also interested in establishing links between Gwadar and Chahbhar ports in order to strengthen the bilateral trade relations.

The two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the health sector.

Prime Minister Imran and Iranian President Rouhani also held talks at the Saadabad presidential palace in Tehran earlier today.

A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency on April 22, 2019 shows Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Iranian capital Tehran/AFP
The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional issues and ways and means to further bolster their relations in diverse fields.

Prime Minister Imran was also presented with an official welcome upon his arrival at the Saadabad Palace.

The premier will also call on Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and meet Pakistani and Iranian business community during the visit.

The prime minister landed at the Tehran International Airport on Sunday, where he was warmly welcomed by Iranian Health Minister Dr Saeed Namaki. A smartly turned out contingent also presented him a static salute.

A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency on April 22, 2019 shows Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (L) and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, reveiwing honour guard in the Iranian capital Tehran/AFP
Prime Minister Imran is accompanied by a delegation comprising Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari, Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfiqar Bukhari, Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Zafarullah Mirza and Special Assistant on Petroleum Nadeem Baber.

Earlier, the premier arrived in Mashhad for a brief stop-over on his way to Tehran, where he visited the shrine of Hazrat Imam Raza and offered dua and nawafil.

PM Imran's visit to Iran, the first since he took office last year, comes days after gunmen shot dead 14 people, including Pakistan Navy personnel, near Ormara in Balochistan.

On Saturday, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Islamabad had evidence the "terrorist outfits" that carried out the attack have "training and logistic camps inside Iranian areas bordering Pakistan".

https://www.geo.tv/latest/234927-pm-imran-irans-rouhani-address-joint-press-conference-in-tehran

 

[xyx007]

Visiting a neighboring country is important after all, KSA crown prince visit India as well, so what is the difference.
On the surface, not much seems to have changed with regard to Iran and Iran's use of terrorism in the last 10 years. Terrorism, however, gives Iran a role in the fight against Israel, a strong voice in Iraq’s future, and a way to deter the United States. It flamed a regional sectarian cold war between Iran and Saudi Arabia. India influence grows in Iran and Afghanistan because of our foreign Policy failure to coup the distance. This IK visit definitely came after the green signal from the US because US doesn't want to involve in the Afghanistan settlement directly with Taliban otherwise it is a US direct defeat ( same policy adopted like Vietnam war )

 

[CriticalThinker02]

This is a historic visit I must say.

 

[BATMAN]

This is a historic visit I must say.

It will indeed be remembered as a VIP holiday tour of Pakistani PM and his cabinet.

 

[The Eagle]

This is going to serve in many purposes for Pakistan, Iran and the region as well. I see two major developments at the same time.

US denied to review sanctions & imposed the ban to import Iran Oil.

• Starting with the same, Trump recently announced to put a ban on import Iranian Oil and any country does so, may be facing US sanctions. Here we can see that India was one of the major importers & had been narrating the same in regard to close ties with Iran. Trump just put India into a tight spot where Modi is in no position to commit any offense in this regard or invite US anger, being recent NATO like ally etc etc.
• India has been, therefore, getting closer to Gulf Countries with whom Iran doesn't enjoy much of good relations & everyone is aware of situation as well. India has been quietly reaching Gulf Countries and Modi also met with Saudi Prince in Argentina. India strengthen its ties with UAE as well so all in all, it pretty much indicates as how India has been slowly moving towards Gulf for Oil purchase and readying itself for US sanctions which were obviously conveyed to India by Trump.

Pakistan - Iran strengthening ties & Iran realizes Indian design of using its soil against Pakistan.

• Both countries just announced better border security by way of close cooperation against terrorists that mostly harmed both countries. The timing is very important and I must call, valued in regard to Pakistan approach to Iran by providing them enough of facts/proofs/reality checks. India, despite being business partner in Chabahar etc has now realized the aftermath and can't anger US except that it may keep its footprint to disrupt Iran not directly but using its soil. Pakistan has provided enough information and Iran has realized that mere Business Investment is not what India said so rather, used Iranian soil to launch anti-peace designs. It appears like Iran has also realized situation & now moving ahead with Pakistan by way of offered proposal to not to fall into Indian trap. Pakistan has exposed Indian warfare in recent meeting and the announcement of combined Rapid Action Force speaks volume of Iranian consideration as well as awareness about Indian plans. Pakistan will not ire US sanctions but at-least has updated Iran and made them realize as how to be more secure.

However, please be cleared that both moves comes at the same time coincidentally but does effect to change regional politics. As far as I can understand, it appears that Pakistan made a timely move and be it Oil Import Sanctions or Pakistan Iran close cooperation in regard to anti-terrorism; India is the one at losing end. It might not appear to be very swift or immediate but in the end, it does appear like India's design to fuel terrorism especially with the name of Baloch while using Iranian land, has came to an end while on other hand Iran has also realized Indian biased friendship in this regard.

 

[Peaceful Civilian]

This is very good step by both countries. Unrest is not interest of any country. We both should all issues through table talk.

 

[Yousafzai_M]

Why their soldiers wear sunglasses? I have seen it in a few pictures of their parade as well. Its awkward.

 

[S Hussain]

The Iranians are not the enemies of Pakistan nor are they the allies of India. The Iranians must be aware the Israelis and the US are providing assistance to the Indians to undermine both Iran and Pakistan. These Indians are also extremist idol worshippers who have a hatred towards Islam.

 

[ShaikhKamal]

The Iranians are not the enemies of Pakistan nor are they the allies of India. The Iranians must be aware the Israelis and the US are providing assistance to the Indians to undermine both Iran and Pakistan. These Indians are also extremist idol worshippers who have a hatred towards Islam.

Iran has built the gas pipeline to the Pakistani border but the Pakistani government under the threats and blackmail from Saudi Arabia and UAE have not kept it's part of the bargain to extend it to Karachi to connect it with the existing Pakistani gas pipeline network. While India has ignored any threats from USA and buys gas and oil from Iran and cash starved Iran. If Pakistan extends the gas pipeline to Karachi then Iran would be more receptive to the Pakistani concerns about the Indian terrorist activities.

 

[CodeforFood]

That's a good news.

Man Imran needs to take some rest and sleep too. look how old he looks and the bags under his eyes!

 

[YeBeWarned]

Finallyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy good news, and wonderful step towards scrubbing the terrorism in the region.

 

[gutto786]

Sure good relations need to be maintained but in the joint statement Imran says we acknowledge somw terrorism have happened from Pakistan and we aim that Iran wont be hurt through Pakistan
But Rohani doesnt say anything similar
We need to make sure we dont under sell ourself. Iran needs us right now more than we need them due to US sanctions on Iran

 

[war&peace]

Man Imran needs to take some rest and sleep too. look how old he looks and the bags under his eyes!

Yes he has been working more than 12 hrs per day. May Allah bless him.