Islamabad: Amid mounting pressure from Iran, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said his country will fully cooperate with Tehran to "help track down and punish" those responsible for a deadly suicide attack that killed top commanders of the elite Revolutionary Guards.
Gilani gave the assurance during a meeting with Iran`s Interior Minister Mostafa Muhammad Najjar, who arrived here yesterday to press for action against Pakistan-based elements of the Jundullah militant group that was behind the attack.
The Premier said Pakistan had in the past arrested some criminals and extradited them to Iran. He also called for enhanced intelligence-sharing between the two countries.
Pakistani officials have said Jundullah chief Abdolmalek Rigi`s brother was among those handed over to Iran. Shortly after his arrival in Pakistan, Najjar said Iran had documentary evidence that showed Rigi "travels readily to Pakistan". He reiterated the demand that Pakistan hand over Rigi to Iran.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik has denied that Rigi is in Pakistan. He said Islamabad had information that the Jundullah chief is currently in Afghanistan and this has been
shared with Tehran.
The suicide attack in Iran`s Sistan-Baluchistan region, which borders Pakistan, has strained ties between the two neighbours at a time when Islamabad`s attention is focussed on the military operation against Taliban in South Waziristan.
Gilani said the suicide attack in Iran was a "deliberate attempt by their enemy to derail growing understanding and cooperation between the two brotherly countries".
Such incidents should not be allowed to cast their shadow on fraternal relations, he added.
"Our two countries face common challenges in the form of worst extremism and terrorism," he said.
Gilani called for coordinated actions, including enhanced intelligence exchanges, to confront these challenges. He also offered to enhance coordination with Iranian security agencies to avoid "misunderstanding and further collateral damage".
Bureau Report
