ISLAMABAD, July 22: Pakistan and Iran have decided to jointly curb the menaces of sectarianism and extremism in their countries.

The decision was taken at a meeting held here on Tuesday at the Interior Ministry between Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik and Irans Acting Minister for Interior Seyed Mehdi Hashemi.

They agreed to form a joint committee comprising Ulema and scholars from both sects.

The two sides discussed the issue of extremism against the background of Shia-Sunni clashes and agreed that there was a third party responsible for extremism, Mr Malik told the media after the meeting.

The Iranian minister termed the meeting constructive and said it would produce positive results. The committee would deliberate on the issue of extremism and pave the way for harmony.