Nawaz Sharif offers condolences to Iran over death of 11 border guards

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed on Wednesday condolences over the “tragic” death of 11 Iranian border guards. He also expressed satisfaction at the increasing high-level exchanges between the two countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.

“On the tragic incident that took place in the Iranian province of Sistan Baluchestan involving martyrdom of 11 Iranian border security guards on April 26, 2017, the prime minister conveyed serious condolences to the government and people of Iran,” a statement issued after a meeting between the prime minister and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said.
Zarif arrived in Islamabad to discuss the situation arising out of the border attack, as well as bilateral relations.
The border guards were killed in clashes with outlaws near Pakistan border in the Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan.
While Iran-based Jaish al-Adl terror group had claimed responsibility for the attack, Pakistan had condemned the attack and made it clear that the incident happened on the other side of the border.
According to the statement, the PM also expressed satisfaction at the increasing high-level exchanges between the two countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
“He hoped that the two sides will continue to expand economic interaction for promoting mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, energy and connectivity,” the statement read. “In this regard, he underlined the need of concerted efforts from both sides to achieve the target of $5 billion in the bilateral trade as soon as possible.”