Map showing the international borders of Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan leading to a trijunctionMap showing the southern end of the Iran–Pakistan border ending at the Gulf of Oman
The border begins at the tripoint with Afghanistan at the Kuh-i-Malik Salih mountain, then follows a straight line going southeast, then a series of mountain ridges, seasonal streams, and the Tahlab River southwest to the vicinity of Hamun-e Mashkel lake. The boundary then veers sharply southwards via a series of straight lines, then east along some mountains to the Mashkil River, which it follows southwards, before reaching the Nahang River which it follows westwards. It leaves the Nahang and then goes overland via various mountain ridges and straight-line segments southwards to Gwatar Bay in the Gulf of Oman.
History
The modern boundary cuts through the region known as Balochistan, an area long contested between various empires centred in Persia (Iran), Afghanistan, and Pakistan. From the 18th century onwards, the British gradually took control of most of India, including what is now Pakistan, bringing it into close proximity with lands traditionally claimed by Persia. In 1871, the British (representing the Khan of Kalat) and the Persians agreed to define their mutual frontier; a boundary commission surveyed the area the following year but did not mark the border on the ground. Some minor alignment issues stemming from this were tidied up via another joint treaty in 1905.
In 1947, the British departed, and Pakistan gained independence from British India. Iran and Pakistan confirmed their mutual border by treaty in 1958–59, fully mapping the border area and demarcating it on the ground with pillars.
In June 2023, there was a terrorist attack at the Iran-Pakistan border. Some Pakistan border patrol officers were killed.[3] A few days before that, there was another terrorist attack at the border and 5 Iranian border patrol officers were killed.[4]
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 sides. 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."
History and stated purpose
The wall is being constructed to stop illegal border crossings[5] and stem the flow of drugs,[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]
Reactions to the barrier
The Foreign Ministry of Pakistan has stated that Iran has the right to erect border fencing in its territory.[9][10] 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 local people whose lands straddle the border region. They apprehended the barrier would further divide politically and socially the local population and impede trade and social activities.[11] An opposition leader in the provincial assembly in 2007 said the governments of the two countries should take the people of the area into confidence,[12] and demanded a stop to the construction of the barrier.[13]
Pakistani fencing project (2019)
In 2019, Pakistan announced its intention to fence its border with Iran. In May 2019, Pakistan allocated $18.6 million to fund the border fencing project.[14] In September 2021, Pakistan approved an additional $58.5 million for border fencing.[15] As of mid-2021, Pakistan had completed 46% of the border fencing and aimed to finish the project by December 2021.[16] As of January 2022, Pakistan had fenced 80% of the border. The Interior Ministry confirmed plans to fence the remaining border sections.[17]
Pakistan and Iran share four official border crossings. Taftan and Gabd serve both pedestrians and trade, while Mand and Chadgi are exclusively for trade. Since Iran drives on the right, and Pakistan on the left, the border crossings require road traffic to change sides.
Additionally, both countries have agreed to establish six joint-border markets to enhance trade. Initially, three markets will open at the border points of Kuhak-Chadgi, Rimdan-Gabd, and Pishin-Mand areas. The remaining three markets will be established in the second phase. Currently, the first three border markets out of six have been constructed and are operational at Gabd, Mand, and Chadgi.[18][19][20]
^"Transcript of Press briefing of Foreign Spokesperson on 28 May 2007". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 28 May 2007. Archived from the original on 19 October 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2007. 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.
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