Prime Minister Imran Khan needs to urgently switch his attention from Riyadh to Tehran. At least when it comes to border security. After all, last week terror group Jaish-ul-Adl (Army of Justice) kidnapped some 12 soldiers from along the Sistan Baluchestan border with Pakistan. And now Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has confirmed the names and number of abducted forces first proffered by the outfit. Thus far, the Iranians have abided by diplomatic norms; unlike other neighbours. Meaning that top of the agenda are calls for Islamabad to beef up border security; alongside offers to supplement these efforts. Yet Tehran is adamant that it is up to Pakistan to return the troops who are now being held on its soil. This is a fair call and the civil-military leadership must do the needful. That being said, even as it does this, Islamabad must tread carefully. For in the wake of the latest incursion, Iran has been quick to point out that there have been 50 such ‘infiltrations’ in the last year alone. There has also been talk of a foreign intelligence agency being involved. And although Tehran has not publicly named it — the prime suspect is Saudi Arabia. Thus Pakistan’s most urgent priority is to counter even the remotest possibility of having the two Middle Eastern nations extend their ongoing proxy war over here. Already this country is struggling to secure borders with Afghanistan and India. This is to say nothing of the question of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) safe-havens across the western front; or the matter of reported Indian funding. The regional presence of the US, China and Russia only risks exacerbating the situation if the worst were to happen. Thus Pakistan must act to flush out any Iranian terror networks on this side of the border. Linked to this is accepting logistical help from Tehran where needed. Including proof of indirectly alleged Saudi involvement. For the Khan government will have to engage in honest dialogue with Riyadh. Particularly given that the latter will have a presence of sorts in Balochistan now that the Kingdom has agreed to build an oil refinery in the strategically located deep port city of Gwadar. In short, the Centre must stop viewing the bilateral relationship with the Kingdom through the begging-bowl lens. * Published in Daily Times, October 23rd 2018.