Iran, Pakistan continue to cooperate over border guard abduction: Envoy

Islamabad, April 12, IRNA – Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan on Friday said that cooperation between Tehran and Islamabad will continue to find last kidnapped Iranian border guard. Ali Reza Haghighian said here that governments of both the countries are making serious efforts for the safe recovery of kidnapped border guard Jamshid Danaeifar. Iran’s Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli has said that Tehran would by no means accept the death of Jamshid Danaeifar and will increase diplomatic efforts to find him. Danaeifar and his four comrades (Sajjad Zahani, Mohammad Nezami, Ramin Hazrati and Jamshid Teimouri) were kidnapped on February 6 by members of the Jeish-ul-Adl terrorist group in Jakigour region of Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan and Balouchestan and then taken to Pakistan. Later four abducted border guards were back home on April 6 following series of coordinated operations made by Iran’s security, police and border forces as well as its ministries of foreign affairs and information and Sistan and Balouchestan Governor’s Office and local officials. Ali Reza Haghighian expressing his views said that holding of joint naval drills between Iran and Pakistan and approval of a bill by Iran’s parliament advocating collaboration between Pakistan and Iran on security issues show that relationship between the two countries are moving forward. He added that high ranking officials of Iran and Pakistan have always stressed the need for strengthening bilateral ties. Giving details about the upcoming visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Tehran, he said that it will be carried out in the month of May. Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson, Tasnim Aslam earlier had said there have been contacts in Islamabad as well as in Tehran regarding the proposed visit of the Prime Minister and discussions on some meetings that will precede that visit. “The Prime Minister has been invited by the Iranian leadership. The Iranian Government has also reiterated that they are looking forward to this visit,” she told her weekly briefing while responding to questions about Mr Sharif’s visit. Ambassador Ali Reza Haghighian added that it is also expected that 19th meeting of Joint Economic Commission (JEC) would also be held in Iran in the month of June.