Daily Times

Over a dozen Iranian security personnel were reportedly kidnapped by Baloch dissidents in a predawn raid on 15 October in Mirjaveh, a town bordering Pakistan. In a statement issued by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) the abductees were stationed in a border post in Iran’s Mirjaveh area when they came under attack from the “counterrevolutionary groups”. Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif called his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi and requested for assistance in recovering the abducted IRGC personnel. So far no group have claimed the responsibility of abduction although Iranian media has accused Jaish Ul Adl dissident group behind the act.

This is not the first time that such an incident has taken place along the Pakistan-Iran border. Of late, there has been a lull in such incidents due to the establishment of Southern Command of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) one year ago.Headquartered in Turbat under the command of a Major General, FC’s Southern Command has made a difference in improving security along the Iranian border.

The latest incident is a clear signal that dissidents may be down but not out and are likely to continue their activities in the foreseeable future. It calls for serious reflection by both the countries through the joint mechanism established by the security forces last year. Both Iranian and Pakistani Balochistans are facing problems due to variety of reasons. However, the primary reason for this unrest is lack of proper representation or fear among the Baloch leaders that due to small populations their neighbouring provinces may overwhelm them.

Iranian authorities apprehend that dissidence in Iranian Balochistan is being stoked by some GCC states which are pouring money in the province and sheltering dissidents in their countries. They claim that these dissidents also take shelter in Pakistani Balochistan and carry out their activities from there. Pakistan has been reminding Iran of Pakistani dissidents taking shelter in the Iranian Balochistan. Recruitment of Pakistani youth to fight in Syria is another irritant which Pakistani officials have been raising with their Iranian counterparts.

Secondly, Pakistan has been cautioning Iran about Indian activities in the Iranian Balochistan. The arrest of Indian spy Kalbhushan Yadev who has been a serving Commander of the Indian Navy is a case in point. Mr. Yadev had established his “business” in Chabahar and was, according to his own confession, involved in many sabotage activities in Pakistani Balochistan and Karachi. Indian Consulate in Zahidan is another mystery especially when there is no trade between Pakistan and India or India and Iran through Zahidan border. Similarly, Indian consulates in Kandahar and Jalalabad are functioning along Pakistan’s border without trade or consular services. Obviously, these consulates are not meant to propagate Gandhian peace philosophy but to indulge in sabotage activities against Pakistan.

Thirdly, lack of economic opportunities on both sides of the border encourages people to indulge in smuggling which may vary from smuggling of normal goods to human trafficking and narco-smuggling. Naturally, when organized gangs are involved in multi-billion dollar smuggling, they adopt much sophisticated tactics to dodge security forces. In order to continue their businesses they can go to any limit.

Fourthly, almost 50% of narcotics produced in Afghanistan is transited through the Iranian and Pakistani Balochistans which should be a matter of grave concern for authorities in both the countries. In this regard, a trilateral mechanism established for many years between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan should be activated with renewed mandate of taking practical measures for the eradication of narco-smuggling. Undoubtedly, primary responsibility lies with Afghan authorities, which together with the US-led NATO forces should control poppy production in Afghanistan.

Fifthly, human trafficking is another heinous crime perpetrated by the criminals in Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. These criminals lure innocent youth to migrate to Europe for greener pastures, but leave them in the lurch after fleecing heavy fees for the “job”. In some cases, these criminals “kidnap” people and demand heavy ransom from the victims’ families. Strict vigilance along the border and stringent action against human smugglers can bring down the miseries of the innocent people.

While political and security issues are being looked into by the two governments, it is the economic cooperation and enhanced trade which can bring about the real change in the outlook of the people on both sides of the border. Priority should be given to the border trade. At present only Mirjaveh-Taftan border post is operational. For strange reasons, Pakistani Immigration and Customs authorities are showing slackness than their Iranian counterparts in opening the border posts of Gabd-Rimdan and Pishin-Mand which can contribute to enhanced trade between the two countries. In fact, the people of Panjgoor have long been demanding opening of Panjgoor-Kohak border post for greater trade and people-to-people interaction.

The past track record shows that Pakistani security forces have apprehended all those saboteurs who have taken shelter in Pakistani Balochistan after committing crime in the Iranian Balochistan. If the IRGC abductees have been brought to Pakistani Balochistan they are most likely to be traced and apprehended. However, prudence demands rapprochement with the people of the area by according them due representation and addressing unemployment problems amongst the youth.

The writer has been a former ambassador

Published in Daily Times, October 21^st 2018.