Making amends

Prime minister is doing the right thing by visiting Tehran as it would clear doubts and misconceptions.

The issue of Islamabad’s relations with Tehran have been the topic of much debate lately, with the issue of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, the abduction of Iranian border guards near the Pakistan-Iran border and other issues all coming up. Tehran has been wary of stepped up contact with Riyadh, since the PML-N government took power in June, with a number of key Saudi officials, including the crown prince and the foreign minister, visiting the country and a grant of US $1.5 billion bolstering suspicions that the generous gift was linked to a role in Syria and sectarian strife there.



Not surprisingly, feathers in Tehran have been ruffled. Given this, the news that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be visiting the Iranian capital early next month, to smooth over the discord and reassure our neighbour that Islamabad has no intention of taking sides and that there has been no change in its foreign policy regarding Iran, is indeed good news. Certainly, given the regional issues that swirl around, good ties with Tehran are important. That country has also held out a warm hand of friendship in the past and it would not be a good idea to turn it down. Pakistani officials also say Islamabad is ready to act as a mediator between Riyadh and Tehran, and the intentions here are, at least, positive, whether or not they succeed.

The prime minister is doing the right thing by visiting Tehran. It is clear that doubts and misconceptions need to be ironed out, especially given the gravity of the Syrian question. Right now, Pakistan needs as many friends as possible. It stands too isolated in the world. It is important then that it add to its circle of allies, especially those located in the region and not lose the friends it has. The attempt to calm Iranian suspicions is wise. The two countries have a lot to gain by working together and we must hope then that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit is able to set things back on track after the brief wobble that has recently been faced. Talks in Tehran should help put things on the mend again and this would serve both our country and the region well.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2014.

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