Pakistan, India vow to keep peace on border
29 December, 2013
LAHORE: A five-day bi-annual meeting between senior officials of Pakistan Rangers and Indian Border Security Force (BSF) was held at the Punjab Rangers Headquarters from December 24 to 28.
A Rangers spokesperson said on Saturday the 20-member delegation of Pakistan Rangers was headed by DG Rangers (Punjab) Major General Khan Tahir Javed Khan whereas BSF DG Shri Subhash Joshi headed the 13-member Indian delegation.
He said that director generals of both border-guarding forces held face-to-face talks after one and a half years.
"The meeting was held in a cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere. Both director generals showed their commitment to maintain the sanctity on working boundary as well as international border and agreed to re-energise the existing mechanisms."
Consensus was developed to utilise available communication channels more effectively to control violations at the zero line. The two sides reiterated their resolve and commitment to continue efforts for ensuring, peace and tranquillity on the working boundary and international border. The Rangers spokesperson said that both sides also agreed on zero tolerance for smuggling and agreed to take strict action against smugglers as per existing laws of two states.
"At the same time it was agreed that the inadvertent crossers would be returned immediately to their respective countries."
A consensus was also developed on matters like stoppage of illegal construction, removal of wild growth and maintenance of boundary pillars. It was also decided that regular meetings between two border guarding forces at all levels of command would be held to ensure maintenance of peace and tranquillity along the working boundary and international border as per agreed norms. The next meeting of the two director generals will be held in New Delhi, India within first half of the next year.
According to Online news agency, Pakistan has also called upon India to immediately stall the defence constructions on borders and LoC besides desisting from breaching its air spaces.
The bi-annual meeting ended on Saturday afternoon when the Indian delegates of the BSF left for their homeland after witnessing parade at the Wagah border.
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