Border fencing with Iran to stop smuggling and terrorism: Sheikh Rasheed
From Our Correspondent :
TAFTAN: Federal Minister for Interior, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has said Pakistan was fencing a border with Iran to stop terrorism and smuggling. In a statement after his visit to the Pak-Iran border on Friday, he said Pakistan would have a fenced-off border with Iran.
Border fencing to complete by December
The Minister said the border with Iran would be fenced off till December this year. Sheikh Rasheed informed fencing work on 40 percent of 928km (576 miles) already completed.
He stated that border management on modern lines with neighboring Iran and Afghanistan would be ensured. The minister vowed that all government would use all resources for the external security of the motherland.
Fencing to improve border management
The move is aimed at improving the border management between the two countries, he said, adding that it will also improve the economy and legal trade between the neighbours.
Taftan has located some 632 km (392 mi) from Quetta, the capital of Balochistan.
The long and insecure border between the two countries has long been notorious for the alleged cross-border movement of militants. Pakistan has expedited work on fencing the border to stop terrorism and smuggling recently.
Smugglers using unfrequented routes at the Iranian border
Smugglers at the Pak-Iran border use unfrequented routes to sneak into the neighboring country. Human traffickers have also been using these unfrequented routes for human trafficking to European countries via Iran and Turkey.
The illegal immigrants travel through Iran and Turkey in their journey towards European countries. Very few manage to reach Greece as Iranian and Turkish forces arrest most of them on their way. Illegal immigrants face a lot of difficulties in the prisons of Iran and Turkey.
(Additional information courtesy Radio Pakistan)
Border fencing with Iran to stop smuggling and terrorism: Sheikh Rasheed
