Pakistan urges Iran for fair probe into cross border terrorist attack.

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan yesterday urged the Iranian authorities to ensure thorough investigation into cross border terrorist attack. The cross border terrorist attack took place in Panjgur district of Balochistan on January 18. Speaking at a weekly news briefing here, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the terrorists used the Iranian soil to target a convoy of Pakistani security forces patrolling along Pakistan-Iran border. 'We expect Iran to ensure its territory is not used for cross border attacks in Pakistan. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We strongly commit that our territory will not be used for undertaking cross border attacks in Iran and we expect the same from Iran,' she added. Baloch said Pakistan and Iran were neighbours and 'our channel of communications are active. We are sharing with the Iranian side our concerns regarding the incident.' To a question, the foreign office spokesperson said Pakistan had always desired cooperative relationship with all its neighbours including India. 'We have consistently advocated for constructive engagement to resolve all outstanding issues including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir. However, India's unabated hostility and retrogressive actions have vitiated the environment and impeded the process of peace and cooperation,' she said. The spokesperson said onus remains on India to create an enabling environment for meaningful and result oriented dialogue. 'The reversal of India's illegal and unilateral actions of 5th August 2019 in the Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is of critical importance. She said Pakistan will also appreciate if international community especially friendly countries would convince India to take such steps,' she maintained. Baloch said Pakistan was in close contact with Saudi Arabia on matters pertaining to their investment in Pakistan. To a question, she said Pakistan and the United States were in the process of robust engagement and dialogue. She said Pakistan and China had agreed to temporarily reopen Khunjerab border in two phases. 'In the first phase, the Khunjerab border will open today for two days and again from end January to early February after the Chinese Spring Festival,' she said. The spokesperson said the Khunjerab border remained closed during the winter months. 'However the Chinese side has agreed to Pakistani request for temporary reopening of the border to facilitate local traders. Baloch said...