AT a crucial time once politics of the Middle East is undergoing massive transformation and instability, the visit of the Iranian President to Pakistan is considered very significant and timely. This three days visit of President Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi to Pakistan changed many misperceptions which existed about the bilateral relationship between Iran and Pakistan. This visit has added a new perspective and outlined a new dimension in the bilateral relations of two traditionally very close and brotherly Muslim countries. At the regional level, the visit is being viewed as an effort for regional integration whereas, at global level, the visit is being regarded as an effort for the reconciliation and rejuvenation of Muslim states. Nevertheless, the visit strengthened the Pak-Iran relations from all angles; political, economic, social and strategic. Despite very strong statements and warnings from Washington, Iran and Pakistan announced complete solidarity and unanimity with the aggrieved people of Palestine and condemned the Israeli aggression and genocide in Gaza.
Besides, both sides agreed to boost the economic cooperation between Islamabad and Tehran. The joint statement elaborates the visit as; an effort for expanding the trade and economic cooperation through transformation of the common border from ‘border of peace’ to a ‘border of prosperity’. This will be implemented through a mechanism of “joint development-oriented economic projects, including setting up of joint border markets, economic free zones, and new border openings.” Very surprisingly, Islamabad is being asked by Washington not to undertake any energy cooperation and trade agreement with Tehran. Indeed, this goes against the national interests of Pakistan which Pakistan should not accept at all. This is encouraging that both countries signed many agreements for enhancing the bilateral trade and commerce and boosting the energy cooperation including the Iran-Pakistan (IP) Gas pipeline. The IP Gas Pipeline Project is essentially important for Pakistan for boosting its industry and meeting its energy requirements. Besides, Iran can provide crude oil to Pakistan at a very low rate which must be availed by Pakistan for meeting its petroleum requirement.
The proposal and agreement for the establishment of border sustenance markets on the common border of Iran and Pakistan is a great idea which needs immediate feasibility study and implementation. This proposal is significant from five perspectives; a) it will improve the economic conditions of the local residents on both sides of Pak-Iran border, b) it will reduce the space for militants and terrorists who operate to undertake terrorists activities on both sides of the common border and create misunderstanding between Islamabad and Tehran, c) It will create job opportunities for the huge unemployed masses on either sides, d) it will channelize the border trade between both states, e) it will enhance border security and transform the border areas in great economic opportunity zone. This is very encouraging that both sides agreed to harness their “respective geographic locations for promoting connectivity between the two countries as well as with the broader region. The two sides noted with satisfaction the progress made in the regular shipment of goods under the TIR Convention and agreed to fully operationalize the Convention to further promote efficient, speedy and barrier-free trade between Pakistan and Iran. It was agreed that full operationalization of the TIR Convention would also enhance regional integration and connectivity across the wider ECO region.”
Pakistan and Iran have geographical contiguity, religious affinity, culture similarities and civilizational closeness. For centuries, the area now constituting Pakistan remained the hub of the Indo-Persian civilization that produced remarkable works of art, poetry, literature and great intellect. After the creation of Pakistan, the natural affinity and closeness shared by these two neighbours was enhanced further and mutual ties of both flourished to new heights. Pakistani frontiers with Iran have always been peaceful, safe and secure. Iran was the first country which recognized Pakistan upon its emergence as an independent country in 1947. Indeed, there have been historical linkages between the people of Pakistan and Iran. Centuries ago Iranian migrants and Islamic preachers left a long lasting impression on the people and civilization of the Indian subcontinent.
Pakistan along with Iran and Turkey established Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD), an inter-governmental organization for socio-economic development in the member countries in 1964. The organization was renamed as Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in 1985 and its membership increased to ten in early 1990s with the integration of Central Asian States, Azerbaijan and Afghanistan. Following the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979, Pakistan was the first country which recognized the Revolutionary Iranian Government. Besides sending a high-level delegation under Foreign Minister, the then President, General Zia ul Haq himself, visited Iran as a goodwill gesture in 1980 and 1981. During the Iran-Iraq war, Pakistan made hectic efforts to negotiate a deal between the two Islamic countries to end the war. Pakistan whole-heartedly supported Iranian viewpoint on the issue of its nuclear programme and maintained that Iran has the right to develop its nuclear programme within the ambit of NPT. Earlier in May 1998, Iran supported testing of nuclear weapons by Pakistan, after Indian nuclear tests.
The landmark visit of President Dr Seyed Ebrahim Raisi to Pakistan is a reiteration for boosting the historical linkages and strong bondage between the governments and the people of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Islamic Republic of Iran. The visit has opened new vistas and opportunities for collaboration between both brotherly Muslim states and their masses. Indeed, Pakistan and Iran have huge potentials to convert the contemporary regional and global challenges into opportunities. This is only possible once there is a total dedication and sincerity for bilateral collaboration and cooperation between both states. Besides, both sides should not accept any dictation from any third country.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
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