SUMMARY of the “Pak-Iran relations,” Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, January 14th, 2024
The article delves into the historical context and current state of Pakistan-Iran relations, emphasizing the immense potential for cooperation between the two neighboring nations. Iran, with a rich history dating back over 2,500 years, boasts vast natural resources, including significant gas and oil reserves. Despite historical and cultural congruity, the tangible bilateral cooperation has not reached its potential, attributed in part to US sanctions on Iran and perceived lack of political will. The article identifies three critical areas for enhancing cooperation: energy, border management, and trade. The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline agreement (IP) signed in 2012 faced obstacles due to sanctions, and recent developments like the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the Financial Action Task Force blacklisting have further complicated the situation. The border, seen as one of ‘Peace, friendship and love,’ has occasional challenges with cross-border terrorism, necessitating improved coordination. Additionally, bilateral trade has been hindered by the absence of regular banking channels due to US sanctions. The article suggests encouraging border markets and barter trade to overcome economic sanctions. It also highlights the potential of Gwadar and Chabahar ports, advocating for the extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Iran.
Easy/Short SUMMARY:
The article discusses the historical and current state of relations between Pakistan and Iran, emphasizing the untapped potential for cooperation. Despite historical and cultural similarities, tangible cooperation has been hindered by US sanctions and perceived political obstacles. Key areas for improvement include energy collaboration, enhanced border management, and increased trade. Challenges like cross-border terrorism and banking restrictions due to sanctions are acknowledged, with the article proposing solutions such as border markets and barter trade. The potential of Gwadar and Chabahar ports is highlighted, and there’s a call for extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Iran.
SOLUTIONS of The Problem:
Addressing Energy Collaboration
Both nations should explore legal avenues to circumvent US sanctions, allowing the implementation of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.
Enhanced Border Management
Iran and Pakistan should enhance coordination to address cross-border terrorism and prevent misunderstandings. Joint efforts are crucial to manage the border effectively.
Boosting Bilateral Trade
Encourage formal trade by implementing measures like checking smuggling and establishing border markets. Promote barter trade as an alternative to bypass economic sanctions.
Leveraging Diplomatic Relations
Capitalizing on the recent rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, facilitated by China, can open avenues for improved economic ties with Pakistan.
Exploring Port Potential
Fully utilize the complementary potential of Gwadar and Chabahar ports, considering them strategic assets for economic cooperation.
Extending CPEC to Iran
China and Pakistan should explore the possibility of extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Iran, fostering greater economic connectivity.
Diplomatic Engagement
Engage in diplomatic efforts to mitigate the impact of US sanctions, emphasizing the mutual benefits of strengthened bilateral ties.
Encouraging Informal Trade
Continue encouraging and regulating informal trade channels, such as barter trade, to facilitate economic exchanges despite formal limitations.
Coordinated Counterterrorism Measures
Enhance intelligence-sharing and joint efforts to counter cross-border terrorism, ensuring stability and trust along the shared border.
Strategic Use of Border Markets
Promote the strategic use of border markets to facilitate trade, providing an alternative to traditional banking channels and mitigating the impact of sanctions.
Improving Pakistan-Iran Relations
How to improve Pakistan and Iran Relation?
*Enhancing Energy Collaboration*:
Develop a legal framework to navigate US sanctions and implement the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project. Diplomatic efforts should be intensified to ease sanctions on crucial energy initiatives.
Strengthening Border Management:
Establish a joint task force to enhance coordination on cross-border issues. Promote intelligence-sharing to counter cross-border terrorism and cultivate trust.
Promoting Bilateral Trade:
Encourage formal trade through diplomatic efforts to alleviate banking restrictions. Implement measures to curb smuggling and facilitate border markets and barter trade.
Leveraging Diplomatic Relations:
Utilize recent diplomatic breakthroughs in the region, such as the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia brokered by China, to foster economic and commercial ties.
Optimizing Port Potential:
Fully utilize the strategic assets of Gwadar and Chabahar ports. Explore the possibility of extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Iran for enhanced economic connectivity.
Mitigating US Sanctions:
Engage in diplomatic efforts to mitigate the impact of US sanctions on crucial projects. Emphasize the mutual benefits of strengthened bilateral ties for both countries.
Encouraging Informal Trade:
Continue to regulate and encourage informal trade channels, providing an alternative to traditional banking channels. Implement measures to monitor and legitimize informal trade.
Coordination on Counterterrorism:
Enhance coordination and cooperation on counterterrorism measures to ensure stability along the shared border. Strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms for proactive security.
Public Diplomacy:
Engage in public diplomacy initiatives to foster people-to-people connections. Cultural exchanges, educational programs, and joint events can contribute to mutual understanding and goodwill.
Economic Integration through CPEC:
Explore the potential of economic integration through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Ensure that CPEC projects contribute to the economic development and connectivity of both nations.
CSS/PMS Exam Aspirants Note:
The improvement of Pakistan-Iran relations is a crucial topic for competitive exams like CSS and PMS. Aspirants should focus on understanding historical contexts, current challenges, and potential solutions. Comprehensive knowledge of diplomatic initiatives, economic cooperation, and counterterrorism measures will be essential for tackling questions related to regional relations. Additionally, candidates should emphasize the role of key projects like the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in fostering stronger ties between the two nations.
IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article:
- Iran is more than twice the size of Pakistan with nearly one-third of its population.
- Iran possesses the second-largest gas reserves, fourth-largest crude oil reserves, and significant non-fuel mineral resources.
- Iran has a recorded history dating back to 550 BCE, with ancient empires like Achaemenid and Sassanid ruling for centuries.
- Iran recognized Pakistan on August 14, 1947, and hosted Pakistan’s first embassy abroad.
- The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline agreement (IP) was signed in 2012 but faced challenges due to US and UN sanctions.
- The US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2018 and Iran’s blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force in 2022 stalled efforts to implement the IP project.
- Some militant groups, including Jundullah and BLA, have been involved in cross-border terrorism.
- The absence of regular banking channels due to US sanctions has hindered formal trade between Iran and Pakistan.
- Recent steps like checking smuggling and opening a border market at Pishin-Mand crossing point aim to boost formal trade.
- The recent rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, brokered by China, and growing Iran-China economic relations present opportunities for Pakistan.
MCQs from the Article:
1. What is the primary obstacle to the implementation of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline (IP) project?
A. Lack of political will
B. US and UN sanctions
C. Cross-border terrorism
D. Border disputes
2. When did Iran recognize Pakistan as a sovereign nation?
A. August 15, 1947
B. August 14, 1947
C. September 1, 1948
D. September 1, 1947
3. Which two countries recently brokered the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia?
A. Pakistan and India
B. Iran and China
C. China and Pakistan
D. Saudi Arabia and the United States
4. What historical empires are mentioned in the article as ruling Iran for centuries?
A. Ottoman and Byzantine
B. Mughal and Gupta
C. Achaemenid and Sassanid
D. Roman and Persian
5. What recent development in 2022 affected Iran’s economic status?
A. Implementation of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline
B. US rejoining the Iran nuclear deal
C. Blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force
D. Successful extension of CPEC to Iran
VOCABULARY:
- Congruity (noun) (موافقت): Compatibility or harmony between different elements.
- Germinating (verb) (انگڑائیں): Beginning to develop or grow.
- Ostensibly (adverb) (ظاہری طور پر): Apparently or seemingly, though perhaps not actually.
- Espionage (noun) (جاسوسی): The practice of spying or using spies to obtain information.
- Rapprochement (noun) (دوبارہ دوستی): The reestablishment of cordial relations between two countries or parties.
- Circumvent (verb) (مواخذہ گری سے بچنا): To find a way around an obstacle or problem.
- Avenues (noun) (راستے): Potential solutions or approaches to a problem.
- Mitigating (adjective) (کم کرنے والا): Alleviating or reducing the severity of something.
- Facilitated (verb) (آسانی دینا): Made easier or less difficult.
- Hindered (verb) (روکا): Created obstacles or difficulties.
- Imposition (noun) (نافذ کرنا): The action or process of imposing something.
- Brokering (verb) (معاملت میں وساطت): Negotiating or managing a deal or agreement.
- Cordial (adjective) (دلی): Warm and friendly.
- Tangible (adjective) (حسوسی): Perceptible by touch; clear and definite.
- Bypass (verb) (چھوڑنا): To avoid or go around an obstacle.
- Hinderances (noun) (رکاوٹ): Factors that create obstacles or difficulties.
- Rivalry (noun) (مقابلہ): Competition for the same objective or for superiority in the same field.
- Apogee (noun) (ناپسندی): The highest point or culmination of something.
- Cordiality (noun) (دوستانہ رویہ): Warmth and friendliness in manner or atmosphere.
- Untapped (adjective) (غیر مستعمل): Not utilized or exploited to its full potential.
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IRAN is a vast country spanning an area more than twice that of Pakistan with a population nearly one third of ours. Rich in natural resources, Iran possesses the second largest gas reserves, fourth largest crude oil reserves and significant non-fuel mineral resources. The people of Iran, called Persia until 1935, are deeply proud of their history, culture and language.
Historically, Iran is an ancient land, with recorded history dating back to 550 BCE, when Cyrus founded the first Persian empire, the Achaemenid, the fourth king of which, Darius, expanded the borders of the empire to include territories from Anatolia to the River Indus. The Sassanid empire ruled Persia for nearly nine centuries from 224 BCE to 651 CE. Towards the end of this empire, Muslim Arabs and Persians came face to face in the Battle of Qadisiya, in 636 CE, germinating a lasting rivalry. Since 1979, Iran is an Islamic Republic. At no point in this historical journey of over 2,500 years, the nationalistic fervour of the Iranian people ever diminished.
In history, language, art and culture, there has been considerable congruity between the Persian mainland and the territories of Pakistan. The Persian language spread to India in the 16th century when the Mughals adopted it as the court language. Allama Iqbal is well known in Iran as Iqbal-i-Lahoori. Much of the poetry of Ghalib and Iqbal, as indeed the national anthem of Pakistan, are in Persian.
Iran was the first country to recognise Pakistan, on Aug 14, 1947. Iran is also the country that hosted the first embassy of Pakistan abroad. Over the decades, Pakistan and Iran have maintained cordial relations. Notably, barring a few irritants, there is no major dispute between the two countries.
Tangible bilateral cooperation is far below potential.
Despite this enormous goodwill, the tangible bilateral cooperation is far below potential. Some argue that the US sanctions imposed on Iran had undermined prospects for bilateral cooperation, while others blame the absence of political will on either side. On balance, the positives of the relationship far outweigh the negatives, and can thus help the relationship flourish to its full bloom. In this regard, three issues — energy, border, and trade — are of critical importance.
As Pakistan’s neighbour, Iran should have been a natural choice for sourcing our energy needs. The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline agreement (IP) was signed in 2012, but fell victim to US and UN sanctions. The successful conclusion of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2015 raised hopes but unilateral withdrawal of the US from the deal in 2018 kept Iran under US sanctions. In 2022, the Financial Action Task Force also blacklisted Iran. These factors have stalled Pakistan’s efforts to implement the IP project.
Iran has often hinted at imposing penalties on Pakistan for not implementing the IP agreement. For its part, Pakistan has tried to invoke force majeure, mainly because of US sanctions which is a factor beyond Pakistan’s control. Going forward, both countries will be advised to work towards finding a way to legally circumvent US sanctions given that gas is not a sanctioned commodity.
Another priority area is to better manage the border, which Pakistan calls one of ‘Peace, friendship and love’. While this is certainly a border between two friends, some militant groups routinely indulge in cross-border terrorism. One such group was Jundullah, a Sunni militant organisation whose leader was executed in Iran in 2010. Since then, the organisation’s members have operated under different names, including Jaish al-Adl. The BLA is also active in the area, possibly with foreign support. Kulbhushan Jadhav of India, who committed espionage and sabotage, was also apprehended in Balochistan. Since all this can aggravate misunderstandings, it is important for Iran and Pakistan to enhance coordination on cross-border issues.
The two countries, despite being neighbours, have also not been able to boost bilateral trade. Ostensibly, the reason is the absence of payment mechanisms or regular banking channels due to US sanctions. While there is insignificant formal trade, informal trade has flourished. Two steps taken recently are likely to boost formal trade: a check on smuggling and the opening of a border market at Pishin-Mand crossing point. Border markets and barter trade should be encouraged to sidestep economic sanctions on Iran.
The recent rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia brokered by China and the growing Iran-China economic relations can greatly help us boost our own economic and commercial ties with Iran. In this regard, the potential of Gwadar and Chabahar ports being complementary must also be utilised fully. It would be worthwhile if China and Pakistan consider the possibility of extending CPEC to Iran.
The writer is a former foreign secretary of Pakistan and chairman, Sanober Institute, Islamabad.
Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2024
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