Sistan attack aimed at spoiling Pak-Iran friendly ties: FM Qureshi
TEHRAN, Nov 2 (APP): Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Islamabad has no dispute with Tehran and will cooperate fully to halt terrorist activities along the Sistan-Balochistan border, arguing that the same forces operating in Pakistani Balochistan are also active in Sistan. In a meeting with the visiting Iranian media delegation, including Iran Daily’s Managing Director Aziz Shahmohammadi, in Islamabad on October 27, the Pakistani minister said the recent attack by the terrorist group Jundullah was aimed at spoiling friendly ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Qureshi said there are forces that
seek to spoil Pakistan’s relations with Iran, but bilateral ties are
strong enough to counter these machinations. The suicide attack was a
conspiracy against brotherly relations and Pakistan will provide full
assistance to Iran in the probe, he said. The Iranian delegation thanked the Pakistani minister for providing an opportunity to hold the face-to-face meeting. In response, he welcomed the
Iranian delegation and expressed hope that such meetings could further
help improve ties between the two neighbors. Qureshi answered a host of
questions related to bilateral, regional and international issues. The
interview was published by Iran Daily. Excerpts follow: Question: How do you assess Pakistan’s ties with Iran? Answer: Pakistan has a huge population of Shiites who are morethan willing to visit the holy cities of Mashhad and Qom in Iran because of their spiritual links. Since the new government took
office more than a year ago, Islamabad has been making great strides to
improve bilateral ties with Tehran. These brotherly relations go back
to many decades. The two sides have been working
closely on regional levels to promote and extend cooperation in trade
and cultural spheres. The Pakistani officials are aware of the
cultural efforts taken by Iranian institutes in Pakistani cities to
bring the two people closer. Pakistan’s government recognizes
that Iran is important for its future development. It seeks secure
borders and it believes that the two sides can help improve trade and
social ties. There are grounds for closer and
broader cooperation in all areas. For instance, the two sides signed an
important agreement in Tehran recently to transfer natural gas to
Pakistan via the Peace Pipeline. The energy project would help
develop and strengthen Pakistani economy and trade, and the government
is of the opinion that it did the right thing to sign the deal. Pakistan is also trying to help
Iran have an integral role in regional affairs, especially in relation
to Afghanistan. The three countries have been through difficult times
in recent years and these have had implications for Iran and Pakistan. The two neighbors have had to deal
with the growing number of Afghan refugees that have affected their
security due to criminal activities and organized crime as a result of
the war, extremism and terrorism. Within this trilateral process,
the three states understand each other’s views and concerns. Islamabad
is waiting for the situation in Afghanistan to settle down after the
presidential election. With the new government, hopefully the three
sides could have constructive talks on issues of mutual interest. Question: What is your perception about bilateral cooperation on regional issues? Answer: Pakistan and Iran are two
important regional powers and they must work together for regional
prosperity and peace. They have unbeaten relations within the framework
of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). Pakistani officials
have always enjoyed the great hospitality of their Iranian counterparts
and they use the platform of ECO to promote regional integration, trade
and transportation, especially through the experimental cargo train
service between Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. The new transportation
project needs to be taken seriously as an efficient cargo train service
can connect them to the European markets and gain immensely. There are, however, elements that
do not like to see such a growing partnership. Terrorist elements keep
creating incidents to affect bilateral ties. However, relations between
Iran and Pakistan are too important and too great to be affected by
such desperate moves. Still, the two sides need to remain cautious
about these attacks and work together to resolve them accordingly.
Indeed, Iran is a democratic state and Pakistan seeks greater exchange
of academics, parliamentarians and cultural attaches. We should engage
at the parliamentary levels. We should also highlight common grounds
for the purpose and build relations on our extensive commonalities. Question: Despite the friendly
relations, the volume of trade and cooperation has not been up to the
mark. For instance, Iran and Pakistan have signed energy deals such as
power exports but this is yet to be implemented. Answer: This is a misperception.
Initially, Iran was not pursuing a bilateral approach with regard to
the power and gas transfer. Iran also wanted to have India on board
with regard to the gas pipeline transfer project. However, the Indians
were reluctant as they were at the time having nuclear talks with the
US and did not want to lose the deal over the gas pipeline project.
Therefore, they stepped back from the trilateral project, leaving the
Iranians unable to make up their minds on whether to have a bilateral
agreement with Pakistan instead. The bilateral agreement is a
win-win situation as Pakistan has a well-developed national grid and it
would be very easy to inject the Iranian gas to its pipeline. Then
again, the Iranian side remained reluctant to go ahead with the plan.
Just as importantly, Tehran agreed to a certain pricing formula.
Pakistan approved the formula but the Iranian Parliament later rejected
the deal. Tehran resumed gas talks again but that took time. So, the
delay was on the Iranian side. Now, the situation has changed and the
two neighbors have finally finalized the gas purchase agreement earlier
this year in Istanbul. Question: Which trade sectors are of importance to Pakistan? Answer: Pakistan needs Iranian
electricity and there is no need to think otherwise. The project would
help develop the Pakistani economy and infrastructure, especially its
industrial hubs. The industry needs Iranian electricity. Theoretically,
the Foreign Ministry supported the idea as it would serve the interests
of both parties. The attitude was also the same
with regard to other trade opportunities such as rice exports to Iran,
train links to Turkey via Iran, as well as agro exports, such as citrus
fruits. Pakistan has a surplus of citrus fruits but Iran is no longer
importing it as it is only interested in exporting oil. Both sides
further need to have joint banks to facilitate the issuance of LCs and
the Pakistani officials are trying to find ways to build the necessary
financial infrastructure for the purpose. Question: The two neighbors are
members of ECO, but the organization is yet to find its true place in
the region and no one seems to know why? Answer: There is a need for
political will in the organization. Indeed, the European Union did not
come up overnight. Its members first settled their political
differences and bolstered trade ties in order to build confidence for
having a common market. It is now fashionable to have regional trade
bodies all over the world. Therefore, it would take time for the ECO to
become an influential power in the region. Question: As far as security
situation along the borders is concerned, Tehran believes that
Islamabad is not doing enough to reduce attacks on Iranian border
guards by terrorist groups such as Jundullah ? Answer: The Iranian media
delegation could act as an ambassador in Tehran to help change the
public opinion in this regard. Pakistani officials were horrified to
hear the news about the recent attacks on Iranian border guards in
which several people, including top commanders, were martyred and
wounded. The Pakistani president called his Iranian counterpart
immediately to express his condolences and to announce Islamabad’s
readiness to cooperate with Tehran to tackle the security issue along
the border areas. Since then, there have been high-level exchanges of
information among the security officials of the two countries. A
security delegation visited Tehran to discuss the matter with their
Iranian counterparts. Pakistan does not support any organization or
terrorist group that might try to undermine its ties with Iran.
Pakistan handed over to Tehran several terrorists, including the
brother of Abdulmalik Rigi, the ringleader of the terror cell
Jundullah. This highlights the determination on the part of Islamabad
to cooperate with Iran in security matters. The terrorists who attacked the
IRGC guards and commanders are not in Pakistan at all. These criminals
also come into Pakistan to carry out attacks on police stations,
mosques and universities. Pakistan is also a victim of terrorism.
These terrorist do not differentiate between nationality, color,
religion or class. Islam does not advocate violence, therefore they do
not represent Islam at all. We must work and support each other in this
fight. We must trust each other. Only greater interaction and
understanding as well as exchange of security information could help us
tackle the security situation along our border areas. Question: The intentions of
Pakistan are genuine in this respect. Will the two sides form a joint
security commission to help monitor and bolster border security? Answer: The interior minister of Iran (Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar) met with
Pakistani officials to discuss a mechanism for greater security
cooperation. We must be sensitive to the public opinion in Iran. The
same also goes for Iran. Some of the statements that came
out from Iran initially after the recent border attacks were not
friendly at all. At the same time, it would be wrong and unconstructive
for the Iranian guards to cross the Pakistani border in the hot pursuit
of terrorists. Even under these circumstances, Pakistan did not doubt
Iran’s genuine intentions and that explains why it handed over a number
of terrorists to Tehran. Pakistan has taken the initiative
by sending security delegations to Tehran and even hosted several
Iranian delegations in Islamabad. It is true that the two sides have
had limited cooperation in the past, still Pakistan also has to take
into consideration the interests of other neighbors. Question: What is Pakistan doing to develop the Balochistan region? Answer: Improved relations could
help stabilize the situation along the borders. The gas pipeline
project would help create jobs and improve security across the region.
The region is rich in natural resources but because of many reasons
they are yet to be exploited. If the two sides are truly interested in
the region’s future development, they must improve their ties in all
spheres. The energy transfer from Iran would benefit the region
immensely. Question: Where does Pakistan’s relation with India stand at present? Answer: Islamabad seeks friendly
ties with New Delhi but that can happen when the two sides have
resolved their outstanding differences such as the disputes over
Kashmir and water reserves. Islamabad has always condemned the
terrorist attacks in India and expects the same treatment from New
Delhi. Iran and India have great relations and some of the Iranian
officials have even studied in India. Therefore, they should advocate
relations between Pakistan and India as well. Iranians should help the
two sides engage. We also do the same by supporting the idea of
engaging Iran to resolve its disputes with the West through diplomacy
as any conflict with Iran could go against Pakistan’s national
interests. I have even told the American officials that they must
engage with Iran over its nuclear dispute. Similarly, the Iranian officials
should urge their Indian friends to resolve their disputes with
Pakistan through diplomacy and dialogue. South Asia and the Indian
subcontinent have remained underdeveloped all because of their
unresolved disputes. Tehran can convince the Indians to have legitimate
interests in Afghanistan that could serve the interests of all parties
involved. It is time for us all to show by deeds that we are only party
to regional peace, development and prosperity.
