Pakistan and Iran have reached an agreement to maintain their shared border open 24 hours a day during the Islamic months of Muharram and Safar, aiming to facilitate religious pilgrims.
This understanding was forged during a meeting in Tehran between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni, where both sides made several crucial decisions to enhance pilgrim facilitation and strengthen cross-border collaboration.
Present at the occasion from the Iranian delegation were Deputy Interior Minister Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian, Deputy Minister Nader Yar Ahmadi, Adviser Hadian, Governor General of Sistan and Baluchestan Mansour Bager, and Colonel Javaheri, Head of International Affairs at the Ministry of Interior. The Director General of FIA and senior officers from Pakistan also attended the meeting.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Iranian government will provide accommodation and meals in Mashhad for 5,000 Pakistani pilgrims. Furthermore, a direct hotline will be established between the two nations to ensure timely resolution of any issues that may arise.
To ensure improved coordination, a trilateral meeting involving Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq is scheduled to be held in Mashhad prior to Arbaeen to finalize arrangements for pilgrims.
Both countries also consented to increase the number of flights dedicated to pilgrims and to explore the feasibility of sea transportation options.
Additionally, both leaders engaged in discussions on strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations and fostering mutual cooperation across various domains, including curbing illegal immigration, combating human trafficking, and controlling drug proliferation. Both sides committed to enhancing coordination for more effective border security management.
Naqvi conveyed his gratitude to the Iranian government for its unwavering support to Pakistani pilgrims and pledged full cooperation regarding the release of Iranian fishermen who had inadvertently entered Pakistani waters.
The Iranian minister emphasized the excellent relations enjoyed by Iran and Pakistan, asserting that Pakistan’s security is of paramount importance to Iran. He reiterated that serving pilgrims is a sacred religious duty.
Two days prior, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif undertook a visit to Tehran as part of his four-nation tour to friendly countries, with the objective of expressing appreciation for Iran’s support to Pakistan during the recent conflict against India.
During his two-day visit, the Prime Minister met with top Iranian leadership, including President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and Supreme Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei, engaging in discussions on matters of bilateral and regional interest.
Addressing a joint press conference, the premier stated that Pakistan is prepared for dialogue with India for the sake of regional peace, reiterating the country’s desire for peace and stability in South Asia.
“We seek peace… we are ready to engage in dialogue for the resolution of all disputes, including the issue of Kashmir,” he added.
