Tehran, Apr 16 (EFE).- The magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck southeastern Iran on Tuesday did not cause any fatalities on the Iranian side of the border, officials in Tehran said, while authorities in neighboring Pakistan blamed the temblor for 32 deaths. The temblor occurred at 1044 GMT at a depth of 83 kilometers (52 miles). The epicenter was located at Saravan near the Iran-Pakistan border.

Deputy Head of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI) for Marketing Affairs, Reza Towfiqi Zavareh stressed on expansion of trade relations with the regional countries including Pakistan by boosting role of free trade zones. Addressing local officials in Chabahar city, he noted that Chabahar Free Trade Zone is one of the most strategic free trade zones which can have a great effect on expansion of trade among regional countries and in particular between Iran and Pakistan, IRNA news Agency Quoted. Pointing to the recent talks between Iranian and Pakistani officials about

Police in France are questioning three suspected Islamic extremists who were deported from Pakistan this week, judicial sources said Thursday. The three Frenchmen had been held in secret in Pakistan since they entered the country illegally 10 months ago to fight NATO troops in neighbouring Afghanistan. The case is likely to draw parallels with that of Mohammed Merah, the 23-year-old who shot dead seven people in southwest France in March 2012 after returning from Pakistan.

Britain should not increase aid to nuclear-armed Pakistan unless Islamabad tries to make its wealthy elite pay more taxes, British lawmakers recommended Thursday. Britain is due to double its assistance to Pakistan to £446 million ($675 million) in 2014-2015, making it the biggest recipient of British aid. But parliament's International Development Committee said it was unfair for Britain to fund health and education projects unless Pakistan's new government, due to be elected in May, tackles "rife" corruption and tax evasion.