Iran, Pakistan agree to cooperate on intelligence, drug trafficking

NICOSIA [MENL] -- Iran and Pakistan have signed a memorandum of understanding to boost security and intelligence cooperation as well as to combat drug trafficking.

The memorandum provides for boosting forces on both sides of the border to combat drug smuggling and exchanging intelligence information about joint security issues. The accord was signed by Iran's Interior Minister Abdol Vahed Mousavi Lari and his visiting Pakistani counterpart Chaudhury Shujaat Hussein.

Moussavi Lari said during a joint news conference that the accord "encourages future cooperation between the two countries."

But the two officials were wary of questions that concerned attacks on each other's citizens. Last year, several Iranian diplomats and a journalist were killed in attacks in Afghanistan. Several suspects have been arrested and are being prosecuted.

Pakistan is said to support the ruling Taliban faction while Teheran has expressed opposition.

Islamabad and Teheran face international drug dealers who use Iran as a transit route to smuggle drugs from Afghanistan to Europe.

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi called on Pakistan to speed up punishment of those responsible for the killing of the Iranian nationals. He also called on Pakistan to combat terrorism.

On Thursday, officials said authorities killed the leader of a drug ring. They said the gang had been active for a decade in the production and distribution of drugs.

The rest of the gang was either killed, injured or arrested by police.