Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks with senior Pakistani officials on Wednesday, in which he discussed bilateral and regional issues as well as the fate of 12 Iranian security personnel kidnapped along the joint border in mid-October.
"Pakistan's authorities have pledged that they will spare no effort to help settle the issue. Today, I've traveled to Pakistan to pursue the matter with our friends," Zarif told reporters on arriving in Islamabad, ISNA reported.
The border guards, including members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, were abducted in Mirjaveh County in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan in an attack claimed by the so-called Jaish al-Adl or the Army of Justice, which is a militant group.
Zarif discussed the latest developments in the case with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and the two officials explored ways of combating insecurity in border areas.
They also spoke about cooperation in the field of energy and said both countries can play a constructive role in resolving regional issues, especially in Yemen and Afghanistan.
According to Pakistan's Express Tribune, this is the Iranian foreign minister's second visit to Pakistan after the formation of the new government in the South Asian country.
Border of Peace
In talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Zarif offered proposals for strengthening border security and cracking down on terrorist groups.
Qureshi said his country will make every effort to keep the border between the two countries a "border of peace", according to a statement issued by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry.
The chief diplomats discussed cooperation on border-related issues and agreed to "continue close consultations through the established multipronged mechanism between the two countries."
"Pakistan and Iran enjoy close brotherly relations. Both countries have stood by each other in difficult moments. Growing challenges in the region provide both Pakistan and Iran with an opportunity to work even closer," the statement read.
It added that Zarif and Qureshi underlined the need to enhance bilateral ties in all areas, particularly in the fields of politics, economy and defense.
"Detailed discussions were also held on regional and global issues, including the situation in Afghanistan and ways to work together in the wake of the reimposition of US sanctions on Iran," Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said.
Border Cooperation
Zarif also held a meeting with Pakistan's army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, during which they exchanged views on joint efforts to better secure the border, help promote peace and security in the region, including in Yemen and Afghanistan, and secure the release of the kidnapped border guards.
It is not the first time that Iranian security personnel have been abducted along the border and there have been similar incidents in the past.
Earlier this year, an Iranian border guard, who had been kidnapped by terrorists during an attack claimed by Jaish al-Adl last year, was freed. Saeed Barati had been taken captive during a cross-border attack by the militants on the frontier with Pakistan on April 26, 2017, in which several Iranian border guards of Mirjaveh County were killed.
