Pakistan-Iran ties: Khamenei hits out at US for sowing discord

Iran’s supreme leader calls for completion of IP gas pipeline project.

TEHRAN:

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called upon Pakistan on Monday to keep ‘wicked’ US influence at bay and build stronger ties with his country, while accusing Washington of trying to create a rift between Tehran and Islamabad, state-run FARS news agency reported.

Speaking to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Khamenei said: “There are hands at work that intend to cause differences between the two friendly and intimate nations through different methods, including stirring insecurity at the lengthy common borders.”

“But we should not allow the big opportunity existing for the expansion of the relations between the two countries to be lost,” he said.

“America, whose wickedness is known to all, is among the governments trying to make distance between Iran and Pakistan. Besides America, there are other governments at work too.” Khamenei was referring to a recent spate of kidnappings and cross-border raids in Iran’s easternmost province of Sistan-Baluchistan that have generally been claimed by Jaishul Adl  militants.

Khamenei underlined the need for further development of ties between the two countries, especially calling for the implementation of joint ventures, like the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, and expressed the hope that good measures would be adopted on the ground during Nawaz’s tenure.

He also stressed the need for the independent nature of Tehran-Islamabad ties, and said that the two states should not wait for others’ permission to enhance their ties.  The multibillion-dollar Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline has grown into a major issue in the two countries’ economic relations. Even now the import of gas under the project appears doomed in the face of looming US sanctions.  Iran has warned that if Pakistan fails to meet its obligation, then it will have to pay the Islamic Republic the huge penalty of almost $200 million a month.

Iran has already built 900 kilometres of the pipeline on its own soil and is waiting for the 781-kilometre Pakistani side of the pipeline to be constructed. The IP pipeline is designed to help Pakistan overcome its growing energy needs at a time when the country is grappling with serious energy shortages.

In relevant remarks on Saturday, former Iranian envoy to Islamabad Mohammad Ebrahim Taherian said Islamabad has no substitute for the IP pipeline and it, thus, has no other option but to accomplish the project. “Owing to the grave conditions of energy (supply and demand) in Pakistan, some of the country’s major cities spend half of the day without electricity, meaning that Pakistan’s need to energy is real and inevitable,” Taherian told FNA.

‘Common bonds’

According to Pakistan state-run news agency APP, Premier Nawaz and Khamenei discussed issues relating to mutual and bilateral interest. They agreed to work in unison for development of the region.

The prime minister said the Pak-Iran relations have historical perspective and the two Muslim countries have common traditions. “These common bonds make our relationship special,” he added.

Khamenei said the people of Pakistan are as dear to him as the people of Iran. “I will offer special prayers so that relationship between Pakistan and Iran reaches new bounds and heights,” he said. The meeting was also attended by the delegation accompanying the prime minister.

Positive trip

Iranian officials neither raised the issue of Syria nor referred to indirect interference from “non-state actors” from our country. Overall, the trip was very positive and the impression of negativity and strains was eliminated.

Khamenei showed great warmth and love for the PM Nawaz and prayed for the people of Pakistan. President Hassan Rowhani also was very f-orthcoming on the issue of bilate ral relations emphasized on strengthening of relations with Pakistan and taking them to new heights.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2014.