By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Monday said Pakistan had a history of close and fraternal relations with Iran and it was ready to further extend the existing ties with the neighbouring state in all the sectors beneficial for the two countries.
The minister expressed these views during a meeting with Chief of Iran’s Anti-Narcotics Police Brigadier-General Majid Karimi, who called on him here, a news press release said.
The meeting was also attended by Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini.
Sheikh Rashid said the Government of Pakistan was committed to work closely with Iran in border management and the fight against drug trafficking.
He also called for the development of relations between the relevant institutions of two countries, especially the professional activities between the two anti-narcotics forces.
Pakistan was ready to cooperate with Iran in guarding the common borders, he added.
The Iranian Anti-Narcotics Police chief congratulated Sheikh Rashid for taking over the responsibility as interior minister and conveyed a warm greeting from the Chief of the Police of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Majid Karimi said Iran was willing to expand cooperation with Pakistan especially during the situation of pursuit and conflict with smugglers and terrorists.
He stressed the need for further extending the cooperation in border control, security issues at common crossing points and effective tackling of drug traffickers. He welcomed Pakistan’s move to fence its common border with Iran and considered it effective in the fight against drug trafficking and other crimes.
Iran desired to enhance the security border security and bring economic prosperity in order to improve the livelihoods of residents living on both sides of the border, he added.
He called for the increased interaction between the Iranian Border Police and the Frontier Corps, saying, “The current level of this cooperation is desirable and we seek to strengthen it even more.”
Separately on Monday, Interior Minister assured of justice in Usama Nadeem murder case.
Presiding over the Senate standing committee on Interior, Sheikh Rasheed said that the government had taken swift action over the tragic incident, adding that a case had been registered in this regard and all the suspects nominated in the FIR had been apprehended.
He maintained that the case will be brought to its logical end.
Matters pertaining to police reforms and training, inexpensive and speedy justice, criminal law amendment bill-2020 were also discussed in the meeting.
Earlier on January 3, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed had visited the house of 22-year-old Usama, who was shot dead by the CTD personnel in Islamabad, to extend his condolence to the bereaved family.
Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed had assured the bereaved family of justice.
The deceased’s father had demanded that a high court judge carry out a judicial inquiry into his son’s murder. However, the interior minister had said that the government would order a judicial probe if the law permits.
