Tensions are escalating on the western front of Pakistan’s border; top Iranian military commander has threatened to launch cross-border attacks inside Pakistan against the so called insurgent’s safe havens. This is even more alarming as the incident happened right after Iranian Foreign Minister Javed Zarif visited Pakistan and appeared to have reestablished diplomatic and security cooperation between the two countries. Major General Mohammad Baqeri’s incisive comments have elicited a sharp reaction from Islamabad. This leads to the summoning of Mehdi Honardoost, ambassador of Iran to Pakistan, to a fresh start of accusations and recriminations between two neighboring countries. This situation is certainly something that cannot be written at home about, especially in the light of the ever-changing regional dynamics and political spectrum.  Both Islamabad and Tehran had previously proposed to ramp up border cooperation, while Pakistan pledged to send more troops to fight cross-border smuggling, crime and militancy. How much has been implemented remains and ambiguous question for both the concerned parties.

However, Major General Baqeri’s comments in any realm whatsoever are unacceptable and should be rejected by Pakistan. The General was elevated to the post after his predecessor had held the post for 27 years, believed to be hand-picked by Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei for his hard liner background in the wake of growing Iranian armed forces role in national security policy. Analyzing the political spectrum Pakistan cannot ignore these comments, as a General lashing out after his troops suffered causalities in a border attack. For Pakistan, sagacity should prevail in a multifaceted approach while dealing with Iran. Firstly, Pakistan has an inherent interest in having a peaceful relationship with Iran with a nonviolent border. Over the years there have been various issues regarding Pak-Iran border, largely due to its rugged terrain and local population that is often at odds with the state thus having malign incentives to interfere. Although this might be true, but in totality Pak-Iran relationship has seen tranquility over the years, unlike troubled border conflicts with Afghanistan and India or the hotly contested Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. Surely, Pakistan and Iran can find convergent points to cooperate over border management and curb incidents of violence.

Secondly, Pakistan and Iran should discuss the range of issues that are causing friction between the two countries which are imperative for sustained diplomatic engagement between the two countries. There are lots of hot spots between Tehran and Islamabad viz. Kulbhushan Jadhav incident to Pakistan’s participation in the Saudi-led Islamic Military Alliance to help stabilize an ever increasing precarious situation in Afghanistan. If handled amicably, these points of friction can transform into those of convergence rather than divergence. Conversely, there are these long term projects such as the Pak-Iran pipeline or electricity transfers, offering more converging points, economic stability as well as prosperity in both countries. Surely, whatever path may it be, it must be a coherent one leading towards perpetual growth and long term stability unlike the political circus right now, which does not depict a very bright picture.

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