LOC22:49
19:49 GMT
KUN0134 4 GEN 0166 KUWAIT /KUNA-TXF2
GEO-PAK-IRAN-PROVINCES
Pakistan, Iran sign agreement to declare twin provinces
ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (KUNA) -- Pakistan and Iran have declared two of their
border regions as twin provinces, in a move to boost trade and curb drug
smuggling, officials said Monday.
The Governor of Pakistani Southwestern Baluchistan province, Owais Ghani
and his counterpart from Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan, Hussain Amini, signed an
agreement at a formal ceremony in Quetta, declaring the two regions as twin
provinces.
"We will not allow the criminal elements to use Iranian land for any
activity against Pakistan and expect the same from it," Amini told a joint
press conference after signing the agreement.
"Joint measures are needed on the parts of both countries for fighting drug
trafficking", he said.
"The declaration of Pakistani and Iranian Baluchistan provinces as twin
cities will further improve the trade, economic and cultural ties between the
two countries", Ghani said. (end)
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KUNA 222249 Nov 04NNNN