Pakistan-Iran ties at a crossroads after deadly strikes

Pakistan on Wednesday recalled its ambassador from Iran and expelled Tehran’s envoy in a swift move to the Iranian missile strikes as extensive consultations were underway to decide the next step.

It was for the first time that Pakistan had to recall its envoy from Iran, although the two countries have had troubled relations in the past. This highlights the level of tensions between the two neighbours.

The rapid deterioration in ties was triggered by Iran’s missile and drone strikes inside Pakistan on Tuesday. Iran claimed the strikes were aimed at two ‘terrorist bases’ of Jaish-al Adel, a terrorist group operating from Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province.

Pakistan strongly condemned what it called the “unprovoked violation of its airspace” by Iran and warned of serious consequences. Islamabad contested the Iranian claims and said the strikes killed two innocent children and injured three girls.

While Pakistan contemplates further action, the Foreign Office spokesperson through a video statement announced Islamabad’s move to virtually downgrade diplomatic ties with Iran.

“We have also informed them that Pakistan has decided to recall its ambassador from Iran and that the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan, who is currently visiting Iran, may not return for the time being," Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a written statement.

She said Pakistan also decided to cancel all upcoming high-level engagements with Iran in an unprecedented move that plunged the bilateral relations into deep trouble at a time when the region is grappling with the Middle East crisis.

"This illegal act is completely unacceptable and has no justification whatsoever. Pakistan reserves the right to respond to this illegal act and the responsibility for the consequences will lie squarely with Iran," the spokesperson warned in what seems an indication that Pakistan might not restrict its reaction just to the verbal statements or downgrading of ties.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, who is currently leading the Pakistan delegation to the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Kampala, Uganda, received a telephone call from the Foreign Minister of Iran, Hossein Amir Abdollahian.

The foreign minister firmly underscored that the attack conducted by Iran inside the Pakistani territory, on January 16, was not only a serious breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty but was also an egregious violation of international law and the spirit of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran.

Read more: Pakistan to recall ambassador from Iran after airspace violation: FO

Expressing Pakistan’s unreserved condemnation of the attack, the foreign minister added that the incident has caused serious damage to the bilateral ties between Pakistan and Iran. The foreign minister added that Pakistan reserved the right to respond to this provocative act.

Stressing that terrorism was a common threat to the region and required concerted and coordinated efforts to combat the menace, the foreign minister underlined that unilateral actions could seriously undermine regional peace and stability. “No country in the region should tread this perilous path.”

Official sources told The Express Tribune that extensive consultations were underway both in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to decide whether to retaliate to the Iranian missile strikes.

 

 

Read: China urges Iran, Pakistan to 'exercise restraint' after deadly air strike

There were two views. One favours restraint and advocates carefully-crafted response given the risks involved. The other side, which is in majority, feels that Pakistan must not let these strikes go unnoticed.
The prevalent opinion was that Pakistan must do something to establish deterrence.

Otherwise, any country under the pretext of fighting terrorism can violate Pakistan’s sovereignty. The recalling of ambassador may be an early indication of some type of action Pakistan may undertake. However, the time, the place and the manner of such response will be of Pakistan’s choosing, according to sources.

Meanwhile, Pakistani authorities were deliberating as to why Iran opted for such an option at a time when the situation is volatile in the Middle East region. The internal assessment is that Iran probably suspects that Pakistan might join the western bloc in case the conflict in the Middle East expands. Tehran, according to the sources, feels that Pakistan could be used for destabilising the neighbouring country.

Official said Iranian concerns were unfounded given that Pakistan always has maintained delicate balance in its relationship with Iran and other countries. There were many occasions in the past when Pakistan resisted pressure both from the US and Arab countries to act against Iran.

That was the reason that Pakistan was in a state of disbelief that Iran tried to open a new front when its hands are already full in dealing with the Middle East crisis.

Observers feel such strikes may push Pakistan to strengthen its ties with Iran’s rivals. Sensing the possible damage, the Iranian foreign minister tried to pacify Pakistan’s concerns.

At the World Economic Forum (WEF), Hossein Amir Abdollahian insisted that missile strikes targeted the “Iranian terrorists” who managed to find refuge across the border.

“None of the nationals of friendly and brotherly country Pakistan were targeted by the missiles and drones of Iran,” he claimed. “There is a group [the] so-called Jaish al Adl, which is an Iran-based terrorist group and they are somehow have taken shelter in part of Balochistan province of Pakistan.”

The Iranian foreign minister said he spoke to his Pakistani counterpart and assured him that Iran “respects” Pakistan’s sovereignty. However, he added that Iran would not hesitate to act if its national security and interests came under threat.Meanwhile, China urged Pakistan and Iran to show "restraint".

"We call on both sides to exercise restraint, avoid actions that would lead to an escalation of tension and work together to maintain peace and stability," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular briefing.

"We consider both Iran and Pakistan as close neighbours and major Islamic countries," she said.
The United States condemned Iranian strikes in Pakistan, Iraq and Syria. "So we do condemn those strikes. We’ve seen Iran violate the sovereign borders of three of its neighbors in just the past couple of days," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

With additional input from Agencies