Pak, Iran set up joint border commission amid tensions

Pakistan said today that a joint border commission has been set up with Iran to address bilateral issues, a day after it summoned the Iranian envoy to express concern over Iran's assertion that it will hit terror "safe havens" in its neighbouring country.
Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said that both countries set up a commission to ensure better border management.
Relations between the neighbours have been tense due to the killing of Iranian border guards in a clash with militants.
Pakistan yesterday summoned the Iranian ambassador to express its concern over Iran army chief's remarks that Tehran will hit "safe havens" of terrorists in Pakistan until Islamabad takes steps to stop militants from carrying out cross-border attacks.

Iran's state news agency IRNA yesterday quoted Major General Mohammed Baqeri as saying that "unless Pakistan control(s) the borders, arrest(s) the terrorist and shut(s) down their bases...We will hit their safe havens and cells wherever they are".
Aziz, while giving details of the joint border commission to the media, said, "Four members from each side will be its members and it will be soon functional."
He said that apart from militants, smugglers and other elements were also present along the Pak-Iran border.
Aziz also stated that a larger number of members of Jaish-e-Adl, a militant group responsible for the recent attack on Iranian guards, were present on the Iranian side of the border.