ISLAMABAD, MAY 23 (DNA) – The experts from both sides noted that Pakistan-Iran diplomatic relations are based on the commonalities of language, literature, culture and religion that can enhance bilateral strategic and trade collaboration for a win-win situation. Post withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan, the two countries should have a mutually agreed strategy to handle the emerging situation of security and peace in the region.

They said the enhanced cultural collaboration and heritage tourism can bring the people from both sides closer to each other beyond the ethic and religious divide. Youth engagement in a variety of sectors is imperative. The CPEC could be another economic and trade bond for closer ties between Iran and Pakistan. A youth expedition from Chabahar to Gwadar would lead to much better understanding between the people of both sides, and will open many vistas of collaboration.  

Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan), DTN and Tehran International Studies and Research Institute (TISRI) jointly organized the webinar on “Iran-Pakistan diplomatic relations: opportunities for cooperation and convergence” on Sunday.

The panel of experts included Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, former ISI chief and geopolitical analyst Muhammad Asad Durrani, research analyst and former ambassador to Iran Asif Durrani, Iran’s former ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Mashaallah Shakeri, Iran’s Cultural Counsellor Ehsan Khazaei, Director South Asian Studies at TISRI Dr. Somaye Morovati, and Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed who also moderated the discussion.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said three factors will promote ties between Iran-Pakistan in the near future. First, CPEC and regional connectivity are key to the economic future of both Pakistan and Iran, with the Iran-China deal a plus for Pakistan, securing Pakistan’s Western flanks and good for development of Gwadar Port. Second, with instability likely in Afghanistan post-US withdrawal, counter-terrorism border cooperation and border management will bring the two countries closer as both seek lasting peace, stability and security in Afghanistan as well as on their border. Third, with pressures from the Biden Administration on both Iran and Saudi Arabia, Pakistan can play the role of a bridge between Tehran and Riyadh, especially on issues like Palestine and Kashmir.

He said Pakistan also supports revival of Iran’s nuclear deal and removal of all sanctions on Iran as Pakistan too once faced discriminatory sanctions from the West. One new plus point is a closer rapport between the military and security establishments of both countries, with greater trust among them.

Lt General (retd) Muhammad Asad Durrani said Pak-Iran relations have generally been good – ranging from close to correct – at their peak before the Revolution. During the Khomeini era, the US, then our close ally in Afghanistan vacated, wanted our relations downgraded because of the siege of its Embassy in Tehran, but we refused and have ever since represented Iranian interests in Washington.

He said after the American invasion of Afghanistan, the two countries started addressing irritants like Jandullah and with Russia, China, and Turkey joined hands to manage the chaos post the US withdrawal. Balancing our relationship with Saudi Arabia and Iran has been a challenge – mostly met with finesse. Post 2003 instability in the Region, especially after Mohammed Bin Salman foolishly invaded Yemen, it became more complex but was still taken care of. Some bigots have at times aired sectarianism, but the deep commonality of interests prevailed.  

Ambassador (Retd) Mashaallah Shakeri said Pakistan and Iran enjoy centuries-long relations in cultural, social, politics and economic and trade spheres. However, the historical developments, however, resulted in the alteration of geopolitics in Persia and the subcontinent as well. But the drastic consequences regardless of their implications on geography or geopolitics of the region could never change the principle ties between the relevant territories and Societies. Persian Culture, language and literature once were the elements by virtue of which the religion of Islam was introduced to some part of South Asia particularly to the region that is now known as Pakistan.

Ambassador (retd) Asif Durrani said the strength of Pakistan-Iran relations is that they have no dispute, although they may differ in perceptions on specific issues. Both have always cooperated bilaterally and at the international forums. In 2008, Pakistan supported Iran in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) while India cast a negative vote against Iran. Pakistan fully supports Iran’s right to access to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Ambassador Durrani said both countries face terrorism and separatism, at times foreign-inspired. Both live in insecure neighbourhoods and face varying degrees of external pressures. While from the beginning of its revolution, Iran had to face the wrath of the Americans, and Pakistan has been facing Indian hostility and external pressures due to the Afghanistan situation. On the other hand, Iran-Saudi rivalry has come as a big challenge for Pakistan’s diplomacy. Iran has appreciated Pakistan’s neutral stance on Yemen, but it caused irritants in Pakistan-Saudi relations. A Saudi-Iran rapprochement is urgently needed to lower tensions in the Middle East.

Reham Khan suggested perception management to both foreign offices and to engage youth for cultural collaboration and joint ventures in many fields including cinematography. The good things shall be shared from both sides to negate the differences and propaganda. The CPEC would bring more opportunities for interaction and joint business ventures where culture and tourism could be the focus.

Dr Somaye Morovati said Somaye Morovati Iran and Pakistan have a long history of cooperation with regional organizations which would provide a good experience of economic, commercial and political relations between two countries. The US has been a most influential foreign actor in Iran-Pakistan relations. The issue of India-US strategic partnership and the crisis in Afghanistan requires Pakistan to maintain a superficial relationship with the US despite tensions. Iran’s foreign policy in the face of sanctions is to strengthen relations with its neighbors despite the US designs against it.

She said Iran’s capacity to connect Pakistan across western borders and access Europe and the Middle East can boost is trade links. The Zahedan- Quetta railway is now connected with the national rail-grid of Iran which is linked to Turkey and beyond.=DNA

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CGSS ED Khalid Taimorr moderates the session

Mahnoor Ansar

ISLAMABAD: Prof. Mehmet SukruGuzel, ANKASAM Representation in Geneva (Switzerland) has stated that from a terrorist organization to a Non-state armed group there must be some changing. He elaborated in detail about the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Afghanistan, Taliban and US-Taliban peace deal of 2020. Mr. Mehmet stated that Taliban accepted the binding of UNSC resolutions. However, the legal team of Afghanistan are making mistakes by not fulfilling the agreed resolutions of the accord.

He expressed these views during the Second Session of the Two-Day Online International Conference on ‘’ The Rise of Asian Geopolitics and Terrorism at the Threshold’’ Conducted by Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Research (ANKASAM),Turkey

While briefing on two preambles of UNSC, Prof. Mehmet explained that in first preamble the Taliban are defined as the terrorist organizations and in second preamble, Para 6, they are put into the peace negotiation. He concluding by stating that the Taliban need to understand and have to obey the UNSC resolutions as it is binding and they have to fulfill their responsibility for a better solution.

Asst. Prof Ali BilginVarlik, Colonel ®, Istanbul ArelUniveristy (Turkey) discussed ‘’Afghanistan, Towards Reconciliation or a failed state?’’. He gave brief presentation on the topic and discussed historical and contemporary perspective of Afghanistan. He stated that Afghanistan has been a country of power struggle between the regional and global powers. Therefore, the reconciliation process will change the position of country. There are geostrategic, geopolitics, energy-politics and cultural dimensions of Afghanistan. He stated that it can be consider a potential country as it has colorful human geography. Mr. Ali comprehensively discussed the economic indicators of Afghanistan. He stated that the all the fundamental indicators are interrelated in Afghanistan. Therefore,themain indicators according to him will be the vacuum authority as US withdrawal its forces. Mr. Ali stated that in the absence of secular political life, a state always fails. Therefore, with the rise of Taliban,irreversible conditions will likely to prevail. He concluded by saying that complete US withdrawal would make Afghanistan a total fail state. There would be consequences of the withdrawal, however, can provide short to medium-term benefits.Regional instability may hamper China’s BRI or create internal issues that may trigger security problems for adjacent countries.

Dr. Mehmood ul Hassan Khan, Member Board of Experts, CGSS, (Pakistan) talked about ’Central Asia and Afghanistan in the Rise of Asian Geopolitics’. He explained in detail about the changing dynamics of the region. He gave profound analysis on the US incumbent government’spolicies regarding the complete withdrawal. Dr. Mehmood highlighted the role of Pakistan to support the Afghan cause and playing a pivotal role in the socio-economic reconstruction of Afghanistan.He explained that dream of regional connectivity has been battling out in Afghanistan during last decades.

Prof. Dr. Shabir Ahmed Khan, Member Board of Experts, CGSS & Director, Area Study Center (Pakistan) shared analysis on ‘’peace prospects in Afghanistan’’. While elaborating the prospects, Prof. Shabir stated thatthe Doha peace process has provided historical opportunities to the Afghans to reach a consensus for power sharing and achieve sustainable peace. Dr. Shabir elaboratedthree main options for resolving the power sharing issue. First, the incumbent government should become a part of the Taliban dominant government as an inclusive political settlement with modifications in present constitution not entirely replacing it with new one. Second, an interim setup in consensus through intra-Afghan negotiation for a specific period followed by election. Third, Taliban become part of the current government. Dr. Shabbir stated that among these options, the third one seems quite difficult as the emboldened Taliban may not opt for becoming part of the current government. According to Dr. Shabbir, Taliban are inspired by forcing US/NATO to come to negotiations.  They consider the US/NATO and Kabul regime intend to win a war on table which they have lost on grounds. Therefore, Taliban seems not averse to first and second options. Prof. Shabbir, while concluding his speech stated if any of these options agreed upon by the Afghan new political setup and ceasefire to end the violence, shall be declared and practiced upon simultaneously. It is obvious that without reaching to a consensus on a new political setup there will be no end to violence.

Earlier, Khalid TaimurAkram, Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Session Chairperson and Moderator, extended his appreciation and gratitude for the Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Research (ANKASAM) for timely organizing the conference and highlighting crucial matters of concern for the international community.

Khalid during his speech on ‘’Central Asia, Pakistanand Afghanistan in the Rise of Asian Geopolitics’’ briefly discussed the significant imperatives. He stated that regional connectivity is the main element of changing states’ alignments and partnerships. In this multipolar world, the states are more inclined to cooperate and, therefore, avoid confrontations as it hampers economic development, peace and security. Mr. Taimur gave his analysis on the major shifts in the Asian geopolitics. He stated that with the rise of Asian geopolitics, different aspects of cooperation have emerged. Wider regional collaborations and realignments are now shaping bilateral or multilateral relations among countries. He comprehensivelyhighlighted the role of Turkey and Central Asian states in the socio-economicdevelopment of Afghanistan and praised their extensive support to bring peace in to region.Mr. Khalid stated that the Afghan endgame is now precipitating significant re-alignments and repositioning by major powers at the regional level and beyond.Mr. Taimur also suggested three main aspects related to the comprehensive work in the Afghan peace process that can be arranged in three areas.

While concluding, Mr. Khalid stated that the cooperation that began with economic assistance can lead to partnership and collaboration in many other domains. Therefore, exploring grounds for joint ventures and enhanced cultural exchanges would curtail differences and prejudices, increase people-to-people contacts, and benefit all states.

RAWALPINDI, MAY 22 (DNA) – Terrorists from inside Afghanistan across the International Border, opened fire on a military post in North Waziristan District.

Own troops responded in a befitting manner. However during exchange of fire, Sepoy Umar Daraz, age 32 years, resident of Jhang, received a bullet injury and embraced shahadat.

Pakistan has consistently asked Afghanistan to ensure effective management and control on their side of the Pak-Afghan Border. Pakistan strongly condemns the continuous use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against Pakistan.