Pakistani, Iranian officials review security cooperation

Islamabad, April 25, IRNA -- High ranking officials of the Islamic republics of Iran and Pakistan on Wednesday reviewed the security cooperation between the two countries and the issue of Afghanistan. Speaking at his meeting with the visiting Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Hassan Rowhani, the Interoir Minister of Pakistan, Lt. general (Retd) Moinuddin Haider said, "Cooperation between Iran and Pakistan would be an important factor in solution of regional problems like Kashmir and Afghanistan." He said such a cooperation would go a long way in strengthening peace and stability in the region. Both the leaders agreed on setting up special security commissions in the interior ministries of the both the countries. Speaking at the meeting, the Pakistani interior minister said that Iran's progress in different spheres of life was very important for, and according to the wishes of Pakistan.

Referring to the issue of sectarianism in Pakistan, Haider said his government was drafting a law under which the activities of the sectarian and extremist groups would be delared unlawful. Touching upon the Afghan issue, Moin Haider said: "Pakistan is not responsible for all acts of the Taliban." "Taliban should end their war with the Northern Alliance (United Front) and accept that all important Afghan groups should be accommodated in the future government of Afghanistan," he emphasized. He also called for leniency in the policies of Taliban. "No Pakistani national has the right to receive military training in Afghanistan or fight against the Northern Alliance," Haider further said. He said: "This is a fact that the smuggling of arms, narcotics and goods from Afghanistan to Pakistan has badly affected the security and economy of Pakistan." He regretted that though opium cultivaiton had been eradicated in Pakistan but up to four or five million Pakistanis are still the victims of narcotic drugs imported from Afghanistan. "Taliban, who claim that they have enforced Islamic Shariah, sould not produce 80 percent of the total world produciton of narcotics," the Pakistani minister said.

Speaking high of the Islamic Revolution, Haider said Iran is really pursuing the enforcement of Islamic Shariah and this fact is very significant for Pakistan. Talking to the Pakistani officials, Dr. Hassan Rowhani said that no problem or issue should affect the cordial relations between Iran and Pakistan. "Security cooperation between the two Islamic countries should serve as a factor for further strengthening relations between Iran and Pakistan," the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran observed. He said, "protection of Iranian interests and installations, ending of sectarianism and terrorism in Pakistan, protection of border security, joint struggle against terrorism, mutual cooperation for restoration of peace in Afghanistan, joint efforts for the eradication of drugs production and smuggling and extradition of criminals should serve the cause of further boosting relations between Iran and Pakistan."

Stressing the need for collaboration between Iran and Pakistan for ending drug trafficking, Rowhani said that a commitment on the part of Taliban would help in eradicating opium production and elimination of narcotics laboratories and wiping out of the narcotics deposits in Afghanistan...

The Nation adds on 4/26/01:

... Dr Rouhani described the ongoing civil war in Afghanistan as ëfratricideí and said it had pushed the country to destruction. He said that cooperation between Iran and Pakistan would prove as an important factor in restoration of peace in Afghanistan.

The Iranian official called for joint steps by both the countries for bringing an end to the Afghan conflict. On the issue of sectarianism, he said this menace was a big hurdle in the way of enforcement of true Islam and forging of unity among the Muslims.