Iran makes new offers to Pakistan during visit of PM Khan
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ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Iran have agreed to set up a Joint Rapid Reaction Force to guard the common borders.
The understanding came at a meeting between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Prime Minister Imran Khan during talks in Tehran on Monday.
Later addressing a joint news conference, the Iranian President said unfortunately we witnessed some tensions in the border areas in the recent past where the terrorists perpetrated their nefarious acts.
He said both the sides during talks reaffirmed their commitment to peace and security in the entire region.
The Iranian President said we also emphasized that no third country can harm the brotherly and close relations between the two countries.
Hassan Rouhani said both the countries have also agreed to bolster their trade and economic relations and we have agreed to set up a barter committee so that goods and other items could be exchanged.
The Iranian President said we are also interested in establishing links between Gwadar and Chahbhar ports in order to strengthen our commerce relations.
He said his country is ready to meet the oil and gas requirements of Pakistan. He said we have already taken the measures to construct the gas pipeline to Pakistani border.
Hassan Rouhani said Iran is also ready to increase the exports of electricity to Pakistan.
Pakistan and Iran also signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the health sector.
Addressing the news conference, Prime Minister Imran Khan said the two countries have decided to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism to ensure that no country's land is used against each other.
Referring to the recent terrorist incident in Balochistan, which claimed lives of fourteen security personnel, the Prime Minister said incidents of terrorism affect relations between the two countries.
He said the entire political leadership in Pakistan has pledged that no militant group will be allowed to operate from Pakistan and the soil of Pakistan will not be permitted to be used against any other country.
The Prime Minister said the two sides also decided to cooperate for helping in peaceful settlement of the Afghan conflict.
Referring to the Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir, the Prime Minister said there is no military solution to the lingering dispute but it can only be resolved through political settlement.
He said the settlement of the dispute will help take forward the entire subcontinent and improve economic and trade linkages in the region.
