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On Sunday, Iran closed its border with Pakistan at Taftan. The decision follows a suicide bombing last week in Zahedan, which killed 25 people and left over 125 injured. The Iranian government’s decision has led to the suspension of trade in the region, causing tribes on both sides of the border to suffer food shortages.
What are the political implications of Iran’s decision to close its border?
Is this the first step towards the regional isolation of Pakistan owing to the possibility of militancy spreading beyond its borders? Are regional militant groups trying to stoke sectarian tensions (Jundullah claimed the Zahedan bombing)? Or is Pakistan getting caught up in US-Iran relations? Iran has implied that ‘interfering powers’ be held responsible for the suicide bombing and analysts are suggesting that Iran’s decision is a response to the diplomatic and military connections between Pakistan and America in the context of the war against terror.
It is true Pakistan should learn to survive without aid.
Aid is not free, it comes with huge cost,we already know about, most of it goes back to the US.
I think, civilians governments in Pakistan have also not shown much maturity in the past, and thus failed due to corruption, autocratic tendencies, injustice and incompetence.
The problem with some of the well known political leaders is that they make statements as if they have been angels in their time of power, and the others are bad only.
I think Pakistan military should never topple any democratic setup,but it is also true, they constitute the most disciplined & professional institution in Pakistan, despite the fact some of the generals & senior military officials have been corrupt.
Ash, Stop blaming the army for everything. At least not at this crucial time when they are fighting an important war against a brutal enemy. That’s the problem with our people, when something goes wrong, the first thing they do is to point fingers at each other.
i am a pakistani in canada and i am so glad i came here. any news coming out of pakistan is bad news. i am humiliated in canada and more so in USA. i blame the army and ISI for giving training and giving shelter to terrorists as long as they serve their purpose. i blame the madrassas and govt for teaching us only the quran so the only thing we are good for when we grow up is jihad and sucide bombing.
pakistan has just a decade to correct this. the west will bomb us using our nuclear weapons as excuse. now even iran is against us. do we have any friends left in the world ? saudi arabia financed the madrassas and the taliban and left us to mock us when things are not going our way. it is utterly hopeless. look at india with whom we were supposed to be competing with. if they can give democracy to a billion people , why cant we give it to 160 million? they are supposed to be the most complex country in the world to govern and yet the recent elections have proved that it will always be a secular democracy. we cant even govern with only one religion ! i am sure the kashmiris will opt for india if a referendum is held now ! may Allah help our country.
I agree the issue of Kashmir should not be politicized.
It should be solved based on simple referendum, once & for all.
The people of Kashmir should not be denied the right to chose, independence, India or Pakistan.
Canada has done it so well to solve the issue of Quebec.
We know referendum works like a dream, so we should give it a chance, to avoid loss of future human loss, destruction and bad feelings.
If we do the benefit cause ratio, we will see the benefit outweighs the anticipated cost of ignoring the rights of the people of Kashmir.
The main problem for Islamic World doesn’t comes from outside, but rather from inside, particularly from our own political elite. Solving problem in Pakistan is inherently linked with fundamental changes in political regime. Since that is the case, it should be the most important thing of all to set up independent academic institutions which could prepare theoretical concept of Pakistan political transfromation from military dictatorship in cohabitation with corrupted and incompetent political elite, to democratic and developed society. The West needs to support and encourage independent education system in Pakistan, like in India. The problem in Pakistan is not in Taliban movement. The main troubles are in poverty and illiteracy of its own people. Please urge to West to make reformation of political system and model of education, which would inherently lead to developing Islamic World, rather than to set up imposible reformation of Islam. Islam can not be grave menace for Western civilization. If we accept this idea entire humankind would be in severe dangerous. Whole democratic world must stand up against such situation.
Funny how Iran thinks its invincible taking an aggressive diplomatic approach towards tackling issues.
Do they really want to be the next Iraq that bad?
Iran has taken a wrong decision by closing its border. Recently Pak-Iran govts had signed the supply of gas for 25 yrs, it was a good decision for both countries. Iran knows that america doesnt want that both muslim countries should increase trade in the region. and also iran has claimed that bomb attack in zahidan is done by america. So at this moment Iran should contribute with Pak and also support in every aspect. I also want to say about pak army on the comments of miss ash That its just because of pak army , Pak is facing these challenges. If we had given all controls to civil govt, then what about economy? every thing will collapse here. Its the Pak army troops which are fighting against terrorist in swat . our troops our laying their lives for this country,What to talk of our govt, we all know the qualifications of our leaders. Wht you think are they the one who will get pak out from these crises? i dont think so.
Let me clarify few things.
Mujaheddin is the previous name of Taliban.
Taliban is just an new version.
Mujaheddin was the joint creation of the US & Pakistan, not just Pakistan, to fight the soviets.
Also, ISI was created, & funded by the Americans to work with CIA, to fight the Soviets.
Hilary Clinton has recently openly admitted the facts stated above.
Several of the fighters caught in Swat are not circumcised, they are not Muslim, they have been injected into the game of terrorism in Pakistan.
Anyone who engages in suicide to kill civilians cannot be a true Muslim.
Killing even one civilian is like killing entire civilization, according to the teachings of the Quran.
Less than 400 Muslims & Non Muslim lost their lives in the entire 23 years life of the prophet as the last messenger of Allah.
Historically, Muslims have have not killed civilians.
They have fought wars with combatants.
It is wrong to say that Pakistan created a monster.
Saying so, is like ignoring the Soviet war & what brought cold war to an end, for the US.
It is the hidden factor that must also be take care of.
The underlying factor of disturbance or impact is the well know 80 / 20 rule, the Pareto rule, which states, 80 percent of the problems are due to the 20 percent root causes.
It states if you take care of the 20 percent of the underlying causes, 80 percent of the problems will be resolved. It is the rule used commonly to prioritize problems & meet the requirements of all stakeholders.
Terrorism though an evil act, with no precedence in the 23 years walk of the the prophet as the last messenger, is by its nature, a symptom, not the cause.
If we keep on dealing with symptoms (impact) only, and do not take care of the underlying causes, the occupation & oppression, the disease will not go away. It will on hide for sometime, and reemerge in some other form.
Historically, It is the human nature that has been the winner in the end, in the long run.
Humans act like water, and creep in to the system, to balance out things.
I think Pakistan cannot be blamed alone.
It is the cause and effect, common interests, environment, selfish interests, that have gradually developed the impact.
Two elimination of two causes alone can take care of the 80 percent disturbance in the world.
Occupation & oppression.
India should give democratic rights to the people of Kashmir, let it be their call, if they want to be independent, with Pakistan or with India.
Israel should give rights to the displaced Palestinians.
Things will get so normalized, that the US will not feel the necessity to stay in Afghanistan and, it should leave Afghanistan.
Also, the kind of wrong doings that have lately happened in Swat cannot be act of a devout Muslim.
Islam is all about discipline, even when a Muslim reacts to injustice, the reaction should not be so extreme to make him worse than the one who wronged him.
The biggest problem for Pakistan is its army. Get rid of the army’s control over Pakistan and see it prosper. ou will find that Terrorism can be controlled in a year with economic prosperity following it. Most of the Pakistani students and people I see in the US have fathers who serve in the Pakistani army, govt or somehow into the administration – only the military people prosper leaving no chance for common man to see what Pakistan can be…
Pakistan & Iran both have Muslim population.
After all, millions of people from both countries go to Haj together.
Iran knows very well, Pakistan is progressing reasonably well, in its fight against terrorism.
Iran should not act macho & threaten Pakistan as it may drift the countries apart, which must not happen.
In fact Pakistan should provide intelligence on the movement of terrorist to Iran and Iran to Pakistan.
They should cooperate to reduce & eliminate terrorist.
They should come up with joint plans to deal with the menace.
If the two countries do not become good Muslim brother, then India will fill the vacuum, and partner with Iran to hurt the interest of Pakistan, by showing common interest to Iran.
I think it is in the best interest of the two countries with dominant Muslim population, to become friends, trade, and not allow India to take advantage.
No it is not regional isolation. A country like Iran which is isolated itself can’t isolate Pakistan.
I am sure that GoP has raised its concerns about Baluch groups operation from the Iranian side.
We should be ashamed to call ourselves muslims. We beg for money,food, medicines from the west, and our leaders there spouses live and study in the west. We talk of beeing Islamic nation, we bring shame to Islam. We always complain that India or USA has done this attacks. We are provided with proof and we do not believe it. Our women are raped and killed on streets, we feel happy that we have delivered Islamic law. As pakistanis we are looked with suspicion, hatred and shame when we travel aboroad. Our leaders talk as if nothing is wrong, their family is all set to go to west on moment notice.
We are a begger shameless society.
Pakistan must understand that it has only few strategic friends in this hostile world, and Iran is one of them. Pakistani politician must not let anyone use Pakistani soil to attack our neighbours. America will be first to leave the region when their interest is gone, no matter how many promises they make they are first to leave, it is our neighbour whom we have to deal with all the time.
Pakistan needs not only to eliminate what Americans saying to destroy but groups that are danger to our neighbours including India.
Pakistan must act now otherwise there will no one to our help. our government must think rationally because all their actions has impact on our future.
Just fyi, I am an Indian (and hindu by faith). Firstly, my heartfelt sympathies to the displaced people of Swat and those who have lost their loved ones, businesses and possessions. I (believe that I) am one of the many Pakistanis and Indians, who do not see each other as enemy. Its basically, due to the propaganda of the religious bigots and political tricksters in both sides of the border that have fed this malice and which has now sadly imbibed in young minds of both nations. Both nations need visionaries who put the past mistrust behind and device foreign policies that will help in mutual growth and development. Both nations should cooperate in putting down any kind of ideological, sectarian, religious, caste-based terrorist organizations with iron hand and start with fresh ties in trade, economic, educational and cultural partnership. In the process, there will definitely be lot of hurdles and misunderstanding, but this should be borne by both sides. How long should a man killing/persecuting another continue? If we are capable of playing cricket together, why arent we capable of being friends? Why should we pull each other down in international fora? The One Supreme God (although I may address Him by a different name) with His Infinite Wisdom has created many people with many differences, who are we to question His Will. This religious tolerance does not necessarily mean you MUST accept my faith, or I MUST accept your faith. It means that lets debate the differences, lets debate the philosophy, lets debate the path shown by our religions, but in a way that will grow the respect for each other and give us some succor when we have to face our Creator someday.
Sorry, I digressed from the main issue, but thanks to Dawn for providing a vent to my frustration-on-mankind!
Nothing is more alarming for Pakistan than its losing control over its territory and people.Pakistan has,unfortunately, long been under cloud by the world community for breeding terrorism and providing safe-havens to the the terrorists and extremists.Sadly enough, Pakistan has not taken it as seriously as the circumstances demand.We have been in the state of deniel over harbouring the miscreants who tend to worsen and strain our ties with the international community.Our neiboughers are the worst sufferers.The recent terrorist attack engineered by some alleged terrorist entity enjoying sanctuary inside Pakistan is yet another reminder to the slumbering political leadership in Islamabad to act promptly, by dismantling the terrorist network and bring the culprits in the dock.It is both exacted by the circumstances and the peace-loving people of the world.
This too had to happen, as if we were not having enough. Who can correct these religious thugs and the likes of Hamid Guls. These mad men are out to islamise the world according to their version of faith.I fail to coprehend where and how can they practice Islam if there is no land called Pakistan. They don,t seem to read the history.Oh God, where have we been taken. We have to live with internationally recognised norms as a responsible people.
Pakistan Govt. must condemn it, send a serious minded delegationto Iran and take all steps which satisfy Iranain people that we are as sad as they are and we mean business.
I am sure Pakistan will come out of woods. Iran has been and will remain a great friend and a dependabe neighbour.
Dear Friends in Pakistan,
you should remember a old saying what you sow is what you reap, wait for some more time and if donot work your acts properly and kill and stop all terrorist you will be no more a state. there will be four states that will be there, Punjab, Sindh, Baloch, and NFP. act smart your army has always keept you Blind with the realities of the Neighbours, see Kashmir it has elections recently and over 60% of Kasmiris have given there vote even when Terrorist tell them that they will kill them. root out this Monster that has been created by your Army and ISI.
May God Help you….
It is a wake up call for Pakistan. It is time that someone stand up and ask Pakistan to take responsibility and stop the incubation of terrorists groups in Pakistan. The deeds of ISI and some elements of Pakistani army are coming back to haunt Pakistan.
Politics, policies, and strategies in the labyrinthine “extended Middle East” probably are beyond full comprehension by anyone. However, closure of a road likely used by mosque-bombers and/or their collaborators needn’t be viewed as anything but an expectable response.
Balochistan is a thorny issue for both Iran and Pakistan, and very complicated in and of itself, I think. But when a Shi’ia masjid and Shi’ia worshippers are murdered, it’s impossible not to suspect militant Sunni.
What a travesty of godliness, these internecine bombings of people who worship the same Allah. Religion has always been the primary tool of self-serving rabble-rousers, and remains that today.
Its not a wise decision by Iran, nor it will stop cross border terrorism. Terrorists don’t cross borderes at official check posts, they have their own means of communications and logestics.
Secondly, Iran was the first one to support and fund terrorism in Pakistan. It was their official policy to do such acts. Supporting Shia organizations and spreadinding Shiaizm is their official state policy, which is no different from Wahabism and Talibanization. Iran cannot resolve these matters by taking such extreme measures. They can do it only with mutual understanding and dialogue.
this part of the world has acquired immense strategic importance and all the major world powers are trying to out smart the others to safeguard their own vested interests.
this attack came just within few days after signing of the historic Iran Pakistan gas Pipeline pact.
now you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out the behined the scene game.
The contrast in the secetarian compositon of the both the Muslim majority states of Iran and Pakistan and the great change these two countries underwent in 1979,Iran,internally with entirely new international outlook and pakistan with greatly changed national outlook, took different positions on the map of the world politics. Iran emerged as an anti US,anti Israel and interestingly even anti Arab state as an outcome of the Revolution resulting in the ouster of an American supported Shah regime, while Pakistan opted to make allies with USA in her war against Communist USSR. Despite these different regional positions both these countries managed to keep on living comfortably as brotherly nations owing to common concerns on the Palestinian and other issues facing the Muslim world and also the historical cultural, economic and political commonalities bound them together to continue as good neighbours. Now,when Pakistan is fighting against militancy,jointly sown by Pakistan and USA and certaily nourished and flourished at home, Iran is facing a real policy dilemma in terms of responding to the current situation and the outcome of the war. Iran is bound to feel troubled whichever way the tide of the on going war turns as both the USA and Taliban are undesirable prospects for Iran who is equally hated by the two fighting parties alike.If the Taliban are completely routed out from the Swat and the adjoining tribal areas, they are likely to run towards much talked about alredy existing safe heavens along the Iran Afghanistan border. As an operation in that border area does not seem to be very much on cards for Paistani Army amd Government immediately who are already facing stern crticism from the hard core right wing political and religious fraternity on one side and huge difficulties in providing necessary fascilities to the millions of displaced people on the other.A continued prensence of either Taliban or US in this border area is necessarily an undesirable scenario for Iran and it has to keep a close hard look at the developments in this area and closing of border with Pakistan is just first tentative step indicating how serious Iran is about these developments. This closing of border may be followed by a surge in Irani Forces along this border which may bring entirely new and not very much expected implications for Pakistan in particulat and to the region and world in general.What this could possibly mean to Pakistan is opening of a potential third front in addition to the two permanent ones in the east and the west which is the last thing Pakistan would desire in the current scenario and President Zardari’s recent visit to Iran might have entailed the cognizance of this situation.Pakistan needs to engage Iran in meaningful, fruitful and intense diplomatic discussions on this issue and should strive for arranging acceptable guarantees from USA to make Iran feel comfotable about the situation and to ease out Iran’s concerns regarding expansion of Taliban militancy in her lands because a confident rather than an insecure Iran can serve the greater interests of both Pakistan and USA.
The scenario, every body was afraid of.
How in the name of reason we reached a point where our one time closest friend,Iran
now looking at us with suspicion.The scums under different names are appearing all over. What was Musharraf doing while in power for last 9 years ? Seems intelligence agency had no clue.
Previously, only India was accusing Pakistan of aiding terrorism but now other countries joined the corus: USA, Afghanistan and now Iran!!!
Pak needs to introspect into its own role in promoting the rebels like Taliban and the back fire it is getting.