General Qassem Soleimani. PHOTO: FILE
“All of us should instead opt for and subscribe to a paradigm of regional inclusivity and synergy, as the only realistic way out of the current cycle of crises,” said Masoud Zamani, a counsellor at the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad during a roundtable conference on Monday.
The conference had been organised by the Islamabad Policy Institute (IPI) on the ‘Implication of the Military Flare-up in the Persian Gulf’ where the speakers discussed the situation in the aftermath of Gen Soleimani’s assassination and its impact on Pakistan.
With last week’s strike at the airbase in Baghdad seemingly deepening divisions in the region, Zamani said that contrary to general perception, the solution to the latest crisis was “within reach and accessible.”
Almost at war with Iran: is there a grand US strategy?
However, Zamani stressed “an honest commitment to peace and partnership” from all the countries in the region as a prerequisite.
Noting that security cannot be achieved through “hurling stones at the neighbour’s house,” he regretted that some countries in the region believed in the acquisition of foreign arms and “purchasing security and legitimacy” from others — hinting at new arms and security race in the region.
“Resort to war, considered an exception in international relations, has unfortunately become a norm and rule in the region due to the attitude and conduct of the US and its followers. This is a vicious circle that must be broken by the regional actors and all those committed to peace, quiet, and stability,” he maintained.
Speaking about Pakistan’s efforts for reduction of tensions including Prime Minister Imran Khan’s directions to Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa to visit regional countries, Zamani welcomed the move and said that Iran encourages Pakistan to continue them.
Quaid-i-Azam University’s School of Politics and International Relations Director Dr Nazir Ahmed said Pakistan’s major concern is the fallout of the crisis on the Afghan peace process and Kashmir.
“Our priority should be to avoid a regional conflict,” he suggested.
Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS) Executive Director Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi said that there was a “sad progression of events” and things were taking a “drastic and grim turn”. He warned that a conflict in the region will only suit Israel.
Iran signals de-escalation to solve crisis with US
Amb Riaz Bokhari said that the situation was still fluid, but a “tactical pause” in hostilities offers an opportunity for de-escalation. He believed that through mediation, “Pakistan will be able to ensure peace on our western border, the success of peace talks in Afghanistan, maintain sectarian harmony and keep Kashmir on the international agenda”.
Progress towards de-escalation, he said, could be achieved if Iran and Arab countries assure each other of mutual security and respect for their red lines.
Amb Bokhari, however, emphasised that Arabs and Iranians need to resolve their problems by themselves and warned that India may try to exploit the situation and destabilise the region further.
IPI Executive Director Professor Sajjad Bokhari said that while the situation looks to have eased a bit, the possibility of a low-intensity US – Iran conflict in the region remains.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 14th, 2020.
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