Islamabad, July 12, IRNA – The governor of Pakistan’s Balochistan said the country is doing a lot to secure its long borders with Iran and also with Afghanistan.

In an interview with IRNA on Sunday, Muhammad Khan Achakzai was of the opinion that Balochistan province is very stable and secure and it is as secure as any other provinces in Pakistan or any other country.

The official added, “Like any other country in the region that small thing could always happen, it is the same in Pakistan’s Balochistan and we are trying to solve the problems.

“Of course there is no big problem and Balochistan is very stable and very safe.”

Achakzai’s comments come a day after Commander of Iran’s Border Guards Brigadier General Qasem Rezaei said that a group of terrorists trying to cross into Iran via southeastern border with Pakistan through Mirjaveh mountainous areas, were spotted and arrested by the border guards on Friday.

Criticizing the Pakistani government, the Iranian commander had said the terrorists had been trained in Pakistan and 'We would like to ask the Pak government and its people to pay more attention to such issues.'

Responding to a question that if Pakistan is going to launch a big military operation like Zarb-e-Azb in Balochistan to fight unrest in that province, Achakzai said: “Balochistan is a big province but has almost a small population of less than 10 million comparing to other provinces in Pakistan, so there is no need at all for a big military operation like Zarb-e-Azb in this erea.

Pakistan is trying hard to secure its borders with Iran and also with Afghanistan.”

The official was of the opinion that the situation at Iran-Pakistan borders is very much improving and the main problem over there is that the border line between the two neighboring countries is very lengthy and many people keep on going and coming across the border.

Although small skirmishes do take place sometimes, they are not of a major significance, stressed the official.

He added that Iran and Pakistan’s Balochistan province are neighbors for thousands years. “I myself went to Iran last year for Norouz and have very good memories from Iran. Two months later I visited Iran for the second time last year with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.”

The official emphasized that Tehran-Islamabad friendly ties are on the right track, adding that the two countries have almost the same people and have a lot in common.

Commenting on Iran-P5+1 talks, Achakzai said, “Once nuclear issue of Iran is hopefully settled, it will be able to provide even more help to Pakistan in a lot of ways. Iran is offering us 3,000 megawatts of electricity which we cannot produce in five years.

“Pakistan is very much serious to enhance its current electricity imports from Iran and as soon as international sanctions are lifted, the very same day this project and also the gas pipeline project will start.”

The official further mentioned that at least eight trading centers need to be open in border areas between Iran and Pakistan while presently there is only one in Mirjaweh.

By IRNA