Pakistan is working with Iran on a joint strategy to stem the flow of militants through their territory to and from Iraq, Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik said on Tuesday. "From Iran, they go to Iraq and then come back," Malik told reporters after talks with his Iranian counterpart. "We are preparing a joint strategy to control it." Iran's Acting Minister for Interior Syed Mehdi Hashemi is on an official visit to Pakistan to hold negotiations about militancy and sectarianism in the region. Malik said Iran, which is predominantly Shia Muslim, and Pakistan, mainly Sunni Muslim, had agreed to set up a joint commission of clerics and scholars to reduce sectarian strife in Pakistan. "It will send a good message to Shia and Sunni Muslims that they should stop cutting each other's throats," Malik said. He said the commission would help improve relations between both the two sects. The two officials discussed human trafficking and smuggling of POL products across the Iran-Pakistan border. "We have agreed to set up focal points at the Pak-Iran border to stop it (trafficking and smuggling)," Malik said. The government nominated Federal Investigation Agency Director General Tariq Pervez to take up the issue with Iranian officials.
Swap: The issue of exchange of prisoners between the neighbouring countries was also discussed. The Iranian minister requested for release of 16 Iranians held in Pakistan. Hashemi termed the meeting as "positive". Malik said that the minister had met with the prime minister and conveyed a message from Iranian President. |