Pakistan and Iran have pledged to enhance efforts to combat Afghanistan-based militants, with both countries acknowledging the serious threat these groups pose to regional and global security. The commitment was made during a three-day visit by Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi to Islamabad, where he met with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other officials. Both countries have experienced an increase in militant violence, with Pakistan blaming much of the unrest on the Pakistani Taliban, a group allied with the Afghan Taliban. Iran, on the other hand, has faced attacks from an Islamic State affiliate based in Afghanistan.
During the visit, the leaders of Pakistan and Iran also discussed increasing trade and easing diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The visit was seen as an opportunity to mend ties that had been strained by strikes carried out by both countries on each other’s territory in January. The joint statement issued by the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation on counter-terrorism and security, and to developing a united front against terrorism. They also emphasized the importance of regular cooperation between political, military, and security officials to combat threats such as narcotics smuggling, human trafficking, hostage-taking, and money laundering.
Despite their security concerns, Pakistan and Iran agreed that their common border should be a “border of peace and friendship,” and pledged to set up new border markets, crossings, and economic free trade zones. The two countries also condemned a suspected Israeli strike on April 1 targeting a consular building next to the Iranian Embassy in Syria. Iran responded to the attack with direct strikes on Israel. Additionally, Pakistan and Iran discussed moving forward with their gas pipeline project, which aims to supply Iranian natural gas to energy-starved Pakistan. The project has been on hold due to fears of U.S. sanctions, as Washington opposes the pipeline as a violation of sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program.
Both Pakistan and Iran have been urging each other to take action against insurgents living near their border. Pakistan has been calling for Tehran to crack down on Pakistani insurgents living inside Iran, who often target security forces in Baluchistan. Iran, in turn, has been blaming an Islamic State affiliate based in Afghanistan for attacks in Iran. The two countries also agreed to expand trade and economic cooperation, with plans to establish new border markets, crossings, and economic free trade zones. The visit by Iran’s President Raisi was aimed at strengthening ties between the two neighbors and finding ways to address security threats and enhance cooperation in various areas.
