Iran–Pakistan border barrier

{{main|Iran-Pakistan border}}

The Iran-Pakistan border, which separates Iran and Pakistan, demarcates the Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan from the Pakistani province of Balochistan. The border is 909 kilometers (565 miles) in length.

The Iran-Pakistan Barrier, presently being constructed consists of a three-foot thick concrete wall (approximately 0.91 meters) that stands ten feet high (around 3.05 meters). This imposing structure spans 700 kilometers, navigating challenging desert terrain. The objectives of the barrier are to deter unlawful border crossings and curtail the influx of illegal drugs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.geocurrents.info/blog/2011/05/13/the-iran-pakistan-border-barrier/|title=The Iran-Pakistan Border Barrier|first=Martin W.|last=Lewis|date=May 13, 2011}}

The wall is being constructed to stop illegal border crossings{{cite web

| url = http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=357668&sid=SAS&ssid=

| title = Iran erecting wall along the border with Pakistan

| access-date = 2007-06-11

| date = March 2007

| work = The Hindu

}} and stem the flow of drugs,{{cite web|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DAH337249.htm |title=INTERVIEW-"Iranian wall" seen hindering drug smugglers-UN |access-date=2007-06-11 |last=Dahl |first=Fredrik |date=May 13, 2007 |publisher=Reuters |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706034537/http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DAH337249.htm |archive-date=July 6, 2008 }} and is also a response to terror attacks, notably the one in the Iranian border town of Zahedan on February 17, 2007, which killed 13 people, including nine Iranian Revolutionary Guard officials.{{cite web

| url = http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C05%5C19%5Cstory_19-5-2007_pg7_15

| title = Pakistan and Iran blame Afghanistan for unrest

| access-date = 2007-06-11

| date = May 19, 2007

| publisher = Daily Times

}} However Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam denied any link between the fence and the bomb blast, saying that Iran was not blaming these incidents on Pakistan.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/03/stories/2007030305171400.htm |title=Iran fences border with Pakistan |access-date=2007-06-11 |last=Subramanian |first=Nirupama |date=March 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312080232/http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/03/stories/2007030305171400.htm |work=The Hindu |archive-date=March 12, 2007 }}

File:Iran_Pakistan_boundary.png

The 3 ft (91.4 cm) thick and 10 ft (3.05 m) high concrete wall, fortified with steel rods, will span the 700 km frontier stretching from Taftan to Mand. The project will include large earth and stone embankments and deep ditches to deter illegal trade crossings and drug smuggling to both side. The border region is already dotted with police observation towers and fortress-style garrisons for troops. Iran and Pakistan do not have border disputes or other irredentist claims and Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has stated, "Pakistan has no reservation because Iran is constructing the fence on its territory".

In 2019, Pakistan announced its intention to fence its border with Iran.

In May 2019, Pakistan approved $18.6 Million funds to fence border with Iran.{{Cite web|title=Pakistan approves $18.6 million to fence border with Iran|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1666561/world|access-date=2020-04-29|website=Arab News|date=29 April 2020 }}

In September 2021, Pakistan approved $58.5 Million additional funds for border fencing.{{Cite web|title=At a pre-ECC meeting, the Ministry of Finance agreed to provide Rs10bn for border fencing.|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1646640|website=Dawn|date=16 September 2021 }}

As of mid-2021, Pakistan has fenced 46% of border and is expected to be fully fenced by December 2021.{{Cite web|title=Pakistan army says border fencing with Iran to be completed by end of 2021|url=https://en.irna.ir/news/83906663/Pakistan-army-says-border-fencing-with-Iran-to-be-completed-by|access-date=2020-08-14|website=IRNA}}

As of January 2022, Pakistan has fenced 80% of border. Interior Ministry stated that remaining border will also be fenced.{{cite web |url=https://nation.com.pk/21-Jan-2022/2680kms-fencing-along-pak-afghan-border-completed-sh-rashid-tells-senate |title=2680kms fencing along Pak-Afghan border completed, Sh Rashid tells Senate |website=nation.com.pk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121082348/https://nation.com.pk/21-Jan-2022/2680kms-fencing-along-pak-afghan-border-completed-sh-rashid-tells-senate |archive-date=2022-01-21}}

The barrier is currently under construction in challenging mountainous areas in southeastern Iran, known for their tough-to-cross terrain.{{Cite web|url=https://pdf.defence.pk/threads/iran-building-anti-terror-fence-on-pakistan-border.103682/|title=Iran building 'anti-terror' fence on Pakistan border|date=April 15, 2011|website=Pakistan Defence}} It includes a robust concrete wall measuring three feet in thickness and ten feet in height, extending over 700 kilometers through inhospitable desert regions.

As of March 2022, a stretch of 659 kilometers out of the total 830-kilometer border has already been fenced. The remaining 171 kilometers are scheduled to be completed by December 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40159289|title=Pakistan-Iran border fencing work to be completed by Dec 2023|first=Nuzhat|last=Nazar|date=March 8, 2022|website=Brecorder}}{{Cite web|url=https://nation.com.pk/20-Feb-2021/iran-border-fence-to-be-complete-by-december-pakistan|title=Pak-Iran border fence to be completed by December|date=February 20, 2021|website=The Nation}}{{Cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2285201/iran-border-fence-to-complete-by-december-sheikh-rashid|title='Iran border fence to be completed by December'|date=February 20, 2021|website=The Express Tribune}}

Despite the presence of barricades and the sophisticated Taftan portal, a significant amount of illegal goods managed to pass through. In 2021 the desolate and underdeveloped characteristics of the area created challenges in enforcing the law. This situation has sparked frustration among cross-border families. Due to restricted crossings, numerous pickup trucks, locally referred to as "zambad," have been stranded at the Pakistan-Iran border for the past month, enduring uncomfortable heat and hunger.{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/whats-going-on-at-the-iran-pakistan-border/|title=What's Going on at the Iran-Pakistan Border?|website=thediplomat.com}}

Moreover, Iran and Pakistan have decided to construct six joint-border markets to boost trade. In the first phase, three markets will be opened in the border points of Kuhak-Chadgi, Rimdan-Gabd and Pishin-Mand areas. In the second phase, border markets will be set up at three other border points. The first three border markets out of six have already been constructed and operationalized at Gabd, Mand and Chadgi.{{Cite web |last=Baloch |first=Behram |date=2023-04-09 |title=Business market at Pak-Iran border |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1746701 |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-05-18 |title=Top leaders of Pakistan, Iran inaugurate border market in their first meeting in 10 years |url=https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-iran-border-market-launched-a20ca8ba5e14a97a02868929df2e0d06 |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Pakistan establishing border markets to increase trade with Iran |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/843211-pakistan-establishing-border-markets-to-increase-trade-with-iran |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}

{{main|Iran–Pakistan relations}}

Iran and Pakistan have established a collaborative working group to oversee border management, encompassing security, trade, and travel matters between both nations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/15/pakistan-iran-to-form-joint-working-group-on-border-issues|title=Pakistan, Iran to form joint working group on border issues|first=Asad|last=Hashim|website=www.aljazeera.com}} In January 2023, the two parties signed 39 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). These agreements have the potential to significantly boost trade, potentially reaching an estimated trade value of around $5 billion per year.{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2023/01/iran-pakistan-border-trade-flourishing-against-the-odds/|title=Iran-Pakistan Border Trade: Flourishing Against the Odds|website=thediplomat.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://epaper.dawn.com/DetailImage.php|title=Jun 23, 2023 | Iranian team arrives to discuss borders, counter-terrorism|date=June 23, 2023|website=Dawn Epaper}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

The Foreign Ministry of Pakistan has said that Iran has the right to erect border fencing in its territory.{{cite web

|url=http://www.mofa.gov.pk/Spokesperson/2007/May/Spokes_28_05_07.htm

|title=Transcript of Press briefing of Foreign Spokesperson on 28 May 2007

|access-date=2007-10-08

|date=May 28, 2007

|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs

|quote=If Iran is building a fence on its side of the border, I do not have any comments on that. Pakistan has no reservation because Iran is constructing the fence on its territory. The designated entry points would be available for entry of goods and people. The Iranians convey to us that they are equally keen to promote trade and facilitate legitimate movement of people.

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019143309/http://www.mofa.gov.pk/Spokesperson/2007/May/Spokes_28_05_07.htm

|archive-date=19 October 2007

}}{{cite web|url=http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-22/0705293105005709.htm |title=Pakistan defends Iran right to erect border fencing |access-date=2007-06-11 |date=May 28, 2007 |publisher=Islamic Republic News Agency |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001000626/http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-22/0705293105005709.htm |archive-date=October 1, 2007 }} However, opposition to the construction of the wall was raised in the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan. It maintained that the wall would create problems for the Baloch people whose lands straddle the border region. The community would become further divided politically and socially, with their trade and social activities being seriously impeded.{{cite web|url=http://paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?179432 |title=Governor Balochistan should be replaced by local Baloch: Gatchkol Ali |access-date=2007-06-11 |date=May 28, 2007 |publisher=Pakistan News Service |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701055109/http://paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?179432 |archive-date=July 1, 2007 }} Leader of the Opposition Kachkol Ali said the governments of the two countries had not taken the Baloch into their confidence on this matter,{{cite web

| url = http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/27/top8.htm

| title = Debate on Iran border wall disallowed

| access-date = 2007-06-11

| last = Kasi

| first = Amanullah

| date = May 7, 2007

| publisher = Dawn

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222401/http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/27/top8.htm |archive-date = 2007-09-27}} demanded that the construction of the wall be stopped immediately, and appealed to the international community to help the Baloch people.{{cite web|url=http://www.myantiwar.org/view/119250.html |title='Anti-Baloch' wall on Pak-Iran border opposed |access-date=2007-06-11 |year=2007 |publisher=The News International |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928195216/http://www.myantiwar.org/view/119250.html |archive-date=September 28, 2007 }}

{{reflist}}

{{Borders of Iran}}

{{Borders of Pakistan}}

{{Iran–Pakistan relations}}

Category:Border barriers

Category:Borders of Iran

Category:Borders of Pakistan

Category:Foreign relations of Iran

Category:Foreign relations of Pakistan

Category:Border crossings of Iran

Category:Border crossings of Pakistan

Category:Geography of Sistan and Baluchestan province

Category:Geography of Balochistan, Pakistan

Category:Iran–Pakistan relations