Pakistan, Iran sign agreement to declare twin provinces

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) amn.rk KUNA 222249 Nov 04NNNN