Tazeen Akhtar
The strangest in latest Iran Pakistan escalation for me is not that why Iran violated air space of Pakistan when everything was going smooth between the two neighbors. The strangest and interesting point is both countries claim to have hit the terrorist in other country. It means the host countries did not know about their presence. It also means they do not know about their own land but they know better about across the border. Both states are supposed to see into this point seriously to avoid any ridiculous situation.
Pakistan has got some better position here sharing the identity of the targeted terrorists but Iran failed to disclose the names of the terrorists hit in Pakistani region. Moreover Irani officials have admitted that the people hit by Pakistan are Pakistani citizens. Another plus point goes to Pakistan that it was not per-emptive strike but was in response to Irani first.
Pakistan’s position here is stronger than Iran because the agreement both countries signed on counter terrorism bounds both countries to share information and if required bot will act jointly. Moreover when both countries have contacts at different levels, no one is supposed to act unilaterally into the territory of the other.
Pakistan Iran Join Hands to Eliminate Terrorists at Border Areas Through Intelligence Sharing
Another big question before me is what de-escalation efforts can bring good when there are different commands at Iran side?
The governments of both states have been mending fences and building close and cordial relations for last many years if we see from the visit of President Zardari in 2013 to visit of Army Chief Gen Asim Munir last year to Tehran. Both countries signed new agreements of cooperation. Pakistan received 100 MW extra electricity. Iran was helping in providing electricity in many parts of Balochistan. “Informal” trade was on from Iran to Pakistan in shape of Petroleum. New entry points were being opened. Border markets were agreed to be established.
Above all, On 16 Jan when Iran attacked into Pakistani territory in Panjgur district, Irani representative on Afghanistan visited Pakistan only one day ago on 15 Jan. He called upon Pakistani counterpart and caretaker Foreign Minister as well. At World Economic Forum in Devos , Irani Foreign Minister and our Caretaker Prime Minister had a pleasant meeting but only few hours later every thing was destroyed in cross border operation of Irani military.
I remember, on 25-26 March 2016, Irani President Hassan Rouhani visited Pakistan. It was the first visit of the highest Irani leader in last many years. But no sooner the President landed at Islamabad, a breaking news at Pakistani media broke everything including the confidence building measures between the two countries ruining the visit of Irani President. Pakistani media reported about the arrest of Kulbhushan Jadev and highlighted ” The Indian spy entered Pakistan through Iran.”
The tussle between the then government of Nawaz Sharif and Military establishment is no secret now. Gen Raheel Sharif was Army Chief. Former DG ISI Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha was proved supporter of Imran Khan who staged a long sit in in Islamabad to destabilize Nawaz Gov from 14 Aug 2014 to 16 Dec 2014 when 150 + students and staff of APS were gunned down in Peshawar by the terrorists.
Kulbhushan had been already arrested but the breaking news was aired at the same day when President of Iran was on Pakistan visit. It speaks a lot about different commands that were working according to their own priorities at that time in Pakistan. But with the visit of present Army Chief to Tehran and meetings with President of Iran and the Commanders of Revolutionary Guards are enough to conclude that at Pakistani side, consensus among civil and military can be seen on fostering relations with Iran. The same is available on Irani side? Is history repeating itself at Irani side?
Revolutionary guards are acting in different direction than what is the policy of the government of Iran? Facts and events compel us to think “YES”. Rationally speaking, no government and especially a government of a state that is surviving the sanctions for last more than 4 decades , can afford such confrontations with all countries in the region.
Iran is already engaged in Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen. In addition to that, what we have seen in last few months is Azerbaijan embassy in Tehran swarmed by armed man forcing the staff including the ambassador to leave Iran for their safety, Iranian attack into Iraqi territory on her own justification or pretext of presence of “Israeli spies” there. And latest attack into Pakistani territory. A government can do this? Or it can be managed by adventurous people only who have resources and might both at their disposal.
Why the Revolutionary Guards do this? One opinion is that Iran had to bear huge life loss in Kerman on 02 Jan bomb blasts that killed above 100 while local people were gathered in the anniversary of martyrdom of late Gen Suleimani. The public in Iran was expecting strict and big action against the terrorists. For that Iran was hit first last week and now Pakistan. Second speculation is that US forces are targeting Houthis in Yemen to pave the way of supply ships of Israel from the Red Sea. The Revolutionary Guards suspect that Pakistan can share helping hand to US military. Pakistan categorically denies it and already clarified its position having no concern to what happens in Red Sea. Irani government as well as the Guards are supposed to consider and acknowledge this stance of Pakistan.
Two separate explosions left 103 people killed and 141 injured in the Iranian city of Kerman
I remember my visit to Tehran in 2003 as editor covering the visit of Prime Minister Jamali. It was the first visit of Pakistani PM in last many years. There was no warm welcome at the airport. The newspaper published the news on inside pages with no display. Reason was known and also shared by Pakistani ambassador. Sectorial killings were routine matter in Pakistan during 90s. Irani cadets were hit in Peshawar and their dead bodies were sent to Tehran.
We went to city to have some Pakistani food but no Pakistani restaurant could be found and finally we lodged at an Indian restaurant to eat Daal and Sabzi. Another bitter experience was to visit a shop in a bazaar. The shop keeper asked ” Are you Indian…..?” ” Indians are our friends.” I replied, ” No! we are Pakistanis and Pakistanis are your brothers.” The shopkeeper felt the heat and melted down as , ” Actually you both look like the same and we call India as a whole to the side where Pakistan is situated.”
It is a matter of fact that both countries have many bitter memories but the problems are on both sides. It is very unfortunate that the status of our bilateral relations is set mostly by third country. Chinese mediation between Saudia and Iran solved issues that were big hurdle in building good relations but the Iranian Initiative has again bewildered the dream of a close partnership between Iran and Pakistan. This is the test of wisdom of the leadership of both sides to de-escalate the situation, return to normalization as soon as possible. Both countries can not flourish as rivals. Actually they complement each other.
Electricity, Gas, Petrol – Everything on Border of Iran – What are the Hurdles for Pakistan?
