Pakistan, Iran must foster trust
By Syed Ali
Hassan
Iran Daily’s correspondent
in Pakistan
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Pakistan, at the head of political and economic delegation, on a three-day official visit. His visit to Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi will further strengthen Iran-Pakistan relations in various sectors including agriculture, trade, energy, among others. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan has stated that Pakistan and Iran have decided to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in workforce and cinema. Both countries will take steps for the exchange of skilled individuals.
After the Islamic Revolution in Iran, there was a surge in relations between both countries, reaching its peak during the tenure of General Zia-ul-Haq, when Iran’s then-president Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei visited Islamabad and Lahore. Subsequently, Pakistan and Iran started strategic cooperation, but these relations gradually decreased after the death of Zia-ul-Haq. Pakistan supported Iran significantly during the war imposed by Saddam Hussein on Iran, providing Tehran with missiles.
Pakistan is currently facing a severe energy crisis, and to some extent, completing the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project has become inevitable for Pakistan to control it. And only this project is immediately feasible for Pakistan, or else if Pakistan discovers a large amount of natural gas, the present government has expressed determination to complete this project until it reaches completion. While American authorities have clearly expressed their reservations about this project, the current Pakistani Energy Minister Masood Malik has called on the US to exclude the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project from US sanctions.
Pakistan’s attention and priority should be the completion of the gas pipeline project, which is in Pakistan’s best interest. This project was initiated in 1996, and despite 28 years, it has only reached Iran’s border due to Pakistan’s lack of interest. Pakistan should complete the work of laying the gas pipeline within its territorial boundaries and arrange access to affordable energy for the Pakistani people.
Although, there are many obstacles to the promotion of trade between Pakistan and Iran, smuggling is the biggest obstacle. A mechanism for trade in local currencies between Pakistan and Iran should also be established soon, which will benefit both countries.