Daily Times

If we check the annals of history it is easy to see that Iran was the first country that had given recognition to Pakistan’s sovereignty. It is a well-documented fact that both countries not only share a 950-kilometre porous border but also similar ideological and religious beliefs. Up to 1979 both states enjoyed a cordial relationship, mainly based on trust and cooperation. In addition to this, during the 1965 Pakistan-India war Iran sided with Pakistan, and allowed Pakistani warplanes to land on the Iranian soil for refilling.

Pakistan and Iran, both Islamic Republics, were members of CENTO, a military alliance that dissolved in the 1970s. However, the year 1979 brought a paradigm shift, and fractured the relations owing to multiple reasons. Iran remodelled into a strong Shia regime that considered to be detrimental put a rift between the two countries. Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia and the USA were unacceptable to Iran, and ended up plunging the two countries’ ongoing progress in the darkness of obscurity.

The US sanctions on the Iran nuclear programme, and the Saudi-led military coalition with General Raheel Sharif heading it, have played its part to further deteriorate the already weakened relations.

It is evident that Pakistan and Iran are tied in a bond of brotherhood, religion and similar ideologies. There is no denying the impression that due to confluence of various events the present trajectory is heading towards the right direction.

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s maiden visit to Iran is the positive move that can help the derailed relations as well as bring the ship from troubled waters to a safe shore. During his visit, Khan met with President Hassan Rouhani and the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and discussed numerous issues of serious nature.

It is evident that both Pakistan and Iran are tied in a bond of brotherhood, religion and similar ideologies

Firstly, terrorism is a major concern of both the countries, and therefore both the states have agreed to establish a mutual rapid reaction force. Secondly, trade is the touchstone behind the progress of any developing nation, and in this scenario the two premiers agreed to remove barriers and facilitate business activities among the people.

There is no denying the fact that there is some mistrust, but it is not too late to take steps to heal the rift between the two countries. It is the need of the hour, and in today’s global village both the states must bury the past and turn a new leaf to collaborate for a new era of progress. A holistic approach, pragmatic measures and practical steps are needed, with the help which both the sides can find a way to disentangle themselves from a scenario of little trust.

Pakistan is one of the energy-dependent countries in South Asia, and is dependent upon other countries, especially Saudi Arabia,to meet its requirements. Pakistan has to diversify its options, and not merely depend on a single source and takea dictation in return. Iran has also agreed to provide 74 MW of electricity to Pakistan’s border region. The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline holds a vanguard position in this regard, and can be instrumental to meet Pakistan’s gas requirements and provide ample economic opportunities.

The menace of terrorism has spread to every part of the world. Both Pakistan and Iran share a border with a war-ravaged Afghanistan, and both Pakistan and Iran host millions of refugees.

It is commonly believed that Pakistan enjoys considerable influence over the Taliban and Iran over the Northern Alliance. Peace in Afghanistan is very important for both the countries.

Lastly, CPEC contains the seeds of transformation, and can help to cement the damaged relations between Pakistan and Iran.

The writer is a Doctor of Pharmacy who has interests in socio- economic and international affairs