Pakistan Iran friendship, a sweet symphony for tomorrow

Publishing date: 03 May 2024

Since Pakistan gained independence in 1947, the two countries have been in close contact. Since
then, the two nations have collaborated, describing it as a logical extension of their shared
heritage. However, despite the fact that Iran and Pakistan share many similarities, this aspect
alone cannot account for their relationship. In order to strengthen the friendship that exists
between Iran and Pakistan, specific policies have been implemented, and particular attitudes
have been actively promoted by both governments. Muslim nations in the global South must
countercheck the extent of their cooperation with one another in light of the shifting realities and
dimensions of global politics between the global North and global South. The recent escalation
of Israeli military on the narrow strip of Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of more than seventy
thousand Palestinians, has cast doubt on the legitimacy of the neo-liberal world order. Following
the war between Russia and Ukraine and the withdrawal of the United States of America from
Afghanistan has shattered the dystopian irony liberalism.
Iran’s President Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a three-day official
visit that will last until April 24. He will meet with the leadership, talk about the developments in
the region, and discuss ways to work together. Following the general elections in February 2024,
this is the first time, a head of state has visited Pakistan. Pakistan now faces a number of
international responsibilities as a result of this visit, including the call for an immediate and
unconditional ceasefire, the lifting of the siege and humanitarian aid to Gazans, regional security,
and bilateral relations has also to be checked. Pakistan and Iran have historically held similar
positions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, frequently expressing support for the
Palestinian right to a sovereign state and showing solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Relevant
to the most recent rise in violence, Pakistan and Iran have taken a joint stance against Israeli
aggression by condemning it diplomatically, supporting the Palestinian cause against Israel, and
providing refugees from Palestine with humanitarian aid. The PM Office said in a statement that
the two leaders met and talked about everything, from the crisis in the middle world, to how to
improve regional cooperation and to navigate important current global developments. They also
reaffirmed their commitment to expanding extensive bilateral cooperation, particularly in the
areas of trade, energy, connectivity, culture, and people-to-people contacts, highlighting the long
history of relations between Pakistan and Iran which would benefit both nations in the future.
Strategically, Iran has established a network of allies and proxies in ‘Middle World’ it claims are
part of an “axis of resistance” that opposes US and Israeli interests in Gulf States.
Between South Asia and the Middle East, Pakistan and Iran are in an area of significant
geopolitical importance. They are important players in global energy and trade routes due to their
proximity to important international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea. In
order to safeguard their respective interests, both nations have a stake in ensuring, that region
remains stable and secure. Terrorism, drug trafficking, and separatist movements are all common
security threats that Pakistan and Iran face together. For addressing these difficulties, cooperation
in intelligence sharing, border security, and counterterrorism efforts is essential. For instance,
Baluchistan and Sistan, two nations that share a border, have worked together to stop militants
from operating there. Participation among intelligence agencies among Pakistan and Iran will
give Pakistan admittance to impact itself on Inlet nations. Iran, whose armed militia has already
established strong footholds in the “Middle World,” can assist Pakistan in achieving political
footholds. It is a fact that Iranian intelligence organizations, such as the Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), carry out
surveillance and monitoring activities in Gulf nations. This entails collecting data on political
developments, security dynamics, and potential threats to Iran’s interests. It helps them in
different ways. Iran’s most important ally is Syria. Together with Russia, Iran helped the Bashar
al-Assad government to survive in the longest civil war in Syria. As Shia and Sunni Islam’s
respective representatives, Iran and Saudi Arabia are significant players in the Muslim world.
Extremism and sectarian divisions have frequently been fueled by tensions between these two
nations. One of the factors that fuels extremism could be undermined by an agreement between
Saudi Arabia and Iran that encourages tolerance and coexistence among Islam’s various sects and
reduces rhetoric that is anti-sectarian. By asserting itself as the intermediary between the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran, Pakistan can also reassert itself in order to combat religious
extremism, which has deep roots in the Sunni and Shia versions of Islam. As a result, tensions in
the Muslim world that manifest themselves in the form of sectarian violence could be eliminated.
Pakistan could help lessen the likelihood of regional conflicts, which frequently provide fertile
ground for extremism, by suggesting an agreement aimed at de-escalating tensions and
encouraging dialogue between the two countries. Not only will this agreement bring peace, but it
will also make it easier for OIC members to work together in the region. Pakistan has the
opportunity to broker peace once more to reassert its influence on the international community.
Once more, the country is at a turning point. Pakistan’s international dominance depends on its
ability to make rational, forward-thinking choices that are aligned with its national interests and
values. Pakistan has the potential to increase its international relevance and influence in today’s
dynamic and interconnected world by prioritizing diplomacy, economic development, security
cooperation, humanitarian assistance, soft power promotion, and regional leadership. This
official visit by Iranian President will garner the position of Pakistan, if our present leadership
project Pakistan as the only option to constructively tackle international crisis by adopting
middle position.