President Zardari's Visit to Iran

Pakistan's empathy with the western countries has affected Islamabad's relations with Muslim countries, especially those Muslim countries that were once regarded as close friends of Pakistan. These were the countries that supported Pakistan in every testing time. But now, unfortunately, they are quite aggrieved with us. And the fundamental reason behind that is our close affinity with the United States. The desire to have close relations with Washington and our one-sided foreign policy has sometimes angered our friends like China, and they have also expressed their apprehensions through various gestures time and again. However, despite that, our policymakers are remain unaffected, as they continue to follow the same policy despite the knowledge that this policy has distanced them from their well-wishers.
Ties With Iran
Pakistan has always had good relations with Iran. During Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's government, in particular, Pakistan and Iran were trying to gather the Muslim nation on a single platform so as to thwart the conspiracies of the Western countries. In this regard, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto invited heads of all the Muslim countries to Lahore. The agenda was how to bring the Muslim nation out of the whirlwind of problems, and how to make this organization of Islamic countries functional. This meeting was no doubt historic, and it was a major step toward the renaissance of the Muslim nation. However, we are fully aware of the consequences the Muslims had to face as a result of these steps. No Muslim ruler had the courage to make efforts for uniting the Muslim nation following the manner in which Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Saudi Arabian Shah Faisal, who were the proponents of this conference, were killed. However, it is quite clear that this conference created awareness among the Muslims that it is neither possible to make progress nor can the Muslims get any respect in this world without renouncing the western domination. The agenda, which was decided in that conference, is still available and can awaken the conscience of the Muslim nation any time.
Anyhow, in addition to the US factor, sectarian clashes have also kept Pakistan and Iran away from each other. Pakistan has felt that Iran is promoting sectarian violence here, and provides financial and political assistance to specific groups. As a result, people belong to other groups also look toward other countries for assistance. We know that Pakistan has remained the center of sectarian clashes for a long time. However, this factor is no more a hurdle in relations between Pakistan and Iran. One may have millions of differences with former President Pervez Musharraf. However, he has the credit of at least one thing. He took practical steps to end sectarian violence. As a result, Pakistan has got rid of this malaise now. Relations between Pakistan and Iran have been under suspension for some time. President Asif Ali Zardari visited Iran on 25 June. During that visit, he called on the top leadership of Iran. Beside that, he also called on the Iranian spiritual leader. The objective behind President Zardari's visit to Iran was attending the conference on terrorism that was being held there. Since his presence was not meant to hold discussion with the Iranian leadership on bilateral relations, therefore, it does not seem that relations between these two countries could improve even after this visit.
Support for TAPI Project
Improvement in relations between Pakistan and Iran depend on the attitude of Islamabad. The Iranian leadership feels that the bitterness in relations was caused because of the attitude of the Pakistani leadership, and this bitterness was created when Pakistan put aside the Iran Pakistan India (IPI) Gas Pipeline Project, and supported the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Project. Under the TAPI Project, Iran has been forced out of this gas project. The Iranian leadership feels that the IPI Project was in the final phase. Had this project been implemented, Pakistani people could have got low-priced gas. However, this was not done, and in Iran's words, Pakistan put aside the IPI project under the US pressure. Anyhow, the TAPI Project has been signed.
Under the project, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India will be partners in this project. The greatest disadvantage of this project is Afghanistan's participation in it because situation in Afghanistan will always remain tense, and the Taliban factor cannot be ignored there. Therefore, even if this project gets completed, it will always remain under the extremist threat. The Iranian leadership has expressed almost the same type of apprehensions.
The TAPI Project has the US consent as well. The US officials also want that this projects gets completed as soon as possible so that they also get alternative sources of energy, and they have to rely less and less on the Russian states. The US ambassador to Afghanistan said that he was very seriously studying this project, and it is possible that the US companies also join this project at some stage.
Undue US Interference
The improvement of relations between Pakistan and Iran is necessary and the interest of both the countries and the Muslim nation lies in the same. President Zardari hinted that the IPI project can also be resumed. It would be remarkable if it happens. However, keeping in view the current situation and the undue interference of the United States in our affairs, it does not seem to happen. If the Pakistani leadership actually wants to revive this project, it will have to show political insight and courage. Improving relations with other neighboring countries, in addition to Iran, should be part of our priorities because we have to live with these neighbors. This is because we have the right to make friends but we have no option regarding the neighbors. Many of our problems can be solved if our leadership understands this acknowledged principle and reality.