Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif hugs French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius after a ceremony at the United Nations in Geneva November 24, 2013. photo: reuters
“I think the regional environment will improve considerably due to the Iran deal,” said defence analyst Lt Gen (retd) Talat Masood.
He did not subscribe to fears that Pakistan could come under pressure from the West over its nuclear issue following the understanding reached between Tehran and the P5+1 – namely United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, and France, plus Germany – in Geneva.
Pakistan, itself a nuclear power and Iran’s immediate neighbour, has always remained concerned about the potential military conflict due to the long-running dispute. “There will be less tension in this region and I believe this will help Pakistan to pursue the Iran gas pipeline project more vigorously,” Masood said.
A senior foreign ministry official also dismissed suggestions that the Geneva deal would put any pressure on Pakistan as far as the security and safety of its nuclear arsenal was concerned. “None whatsoever!” said the official when asked whether Pakistan’s nuclear programme would come under increased scrutiny from the West, particularly the US, after the understanding on Iran’s nuclear issue. The official, who asked to remain anonymous, insisted that the two issues had no linkages whatsoever.
“Notwithstanding few deliberate leaks about our nuclear programme, the West is aware of the fact that Pakistan has now established strong nuclear credentials,” he insisted.
The official further said that Iran’s nuclear deal would certainly augur well for this part of the world, which is known as a ‘nuclearised region’.
International relations expert Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed believes the agreement would certainly ease pressure on Pakistan, which has already been facing instability from neighbouring Afghanistan.
Officially, Pakistan welcomed the understanding reached between Iran and P5+1 on the nuclear issue.
“As a brotherly neighbour of Iran, Pakistan has always underscored the importance of finding a peaceful solution to this issue,” said the foreign ministry in a statement.
“We have also been stressing the need to avert confrontation over Iran’s nuclear programme, which had the potential to destabilise our region,” it added.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2013.
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@Akhtarrao: Who is playing a match here? Where have you been all these years? I mean don't you know US, Saudi Arabia, Iran Afghanistan, Russia, Israel and Pakistan concerns for last 35 years? @Khushbo: It's all glade tiding for Pak Gas pipe line and trade with Iran @naeem: Keep dreaming!
of-course this deal will bring stability in the middle East region. The deal will thwart the western offensive behaviour towards the region. after this deal P5 states acknowledged right of Iran for peaceful acquisition of nuclear technology. Pakistan will gain economic benefits after partial lifting of sanctions on Iran.
looks like pak in trouble..they have surrounded pak now..US presence is already in afghanistan,iraq...might see nato vehicles moving from iran to afghanistan...looks like pak is cornered here!!they will make another secret deal for iran-pak gas pipeline...they r in a big plan to divide balochistan from pak
Pakistan will not get anythig from this deal. America will deal with Iran differently and Pakkistan will be dealt with Carrot and Stick, as usual,so we should not be mistaken. Does Pakistan has any match with Iran?