Superb news. Have a balance in relations. Iran is also a neighbor. Talk with them and cooperate in regional matters.
Absolutely. We must talk about Indian Iranian connection which has always destabalised Balochistan.
We are not Arab lackeys. Neither are we lackeys of Iranians. Only a balanced relationship.
I used to believe this till a few years ago. Over the years, I have realized that the Iranian government (no matter who is in power) has a clear agenda of looking down upon anyone who questions them, their intentions, or their ambitions. It's not even a question of having a disagreement or difference of opinion. To an extent that anyone who is on good terms with their foes, is also their enemy. so much so that they start conspiring against the people who even try to maintain a neutral stance. It's literally my way or the highway.
Now you add into this religious differences, the country borders and ethnicity and that like takes the whole thing to an overdrive. Videos of their generals bashing Pakistan, their militia leaders inciting religious and ethnic hatred, and their overall behavior towards their neighbors is not to be overlooked. Forget past or who did what and why, one need not look beyond the Sistan-Balochistan vs Balochistan or East Azerbaiyan and Azerbaijan (and recent pro-Armenia stance), to understand their position. They are pessimistic in their approach and would go to any extent to weaken or diminish the possibility of dissent in the ethnic or religious minority. On a religious front, a sensitive topic, I would just say that the Saudis, Emiratis, and Iranians have wreaked havoc in every region where there is a sizable mixture of either Sunni or Shia Islam.
Who is right or wrong is not the debate here, nor am I saying that one faith is better than the other or has caused more damage than the other. But over and above the ethnic and geographical insecurity and narrow mindedness of Iran, we as a nation, also suffer because of this unfortunate religious rivalry between the two sects.
Iran was, is, and will always have a dubious character. They are loyal to their aims and nothing else. Ummah, neighborhood, goodwill, human rights etc. don't mean a thing to them. national agenda is a good thing for any nation till it involves destabilizing others, conspiring with others, inciting violence, and supporting your foes. Mind you, all the above has been happening for decades while we just ignored and hoped for better relations. Starting from independence to 1965 war, to Balochistan insurgency of the late 1960s and 70s, religious fanaticism of 1990s and 2000s, ISIS recruitment from Pakistan, Agreement with India on Bandar Abbas port, Chahbahar port being used by India (read kulbhushan yadev), teaching their syllabus inside Pakistan and many more. Iran will go to any extent to prevent Balochistan from developing, even if it involves India or dare I say USA (their so-called arch-enemy). Its like what Shah Fahd did in Pakistan but the worse died with his death but this is still on. I repeat here, I am not inciting religious favoritism or hatred here.
It's time that we set aside our Shia and Sunni glasses and for once, think as Pakistani first. Our loyalty should be to Pakistan only. Our religious and ethnic difference will only die or decrease with prosperity and conjoined goals and achievements. For that to happen we need to man up and call a spade a spade. The local Media, Scholars, and bureaucrats all need to be handled effectively. The fence on the Iran border is more important to us than the Afghanistan border as besides terrorism, it hurts us economically as well. A shut-up call or a warning should be given to Iran. Other measures should follow,
For example, deploy the next batch of JF-17 block 3 to Bohlari or any other place but shift a squadron of block 2 from there to Quetta. Similarly, airstrips at Sibi or Turbat need to be developed or fortified as a signal too or let's say buy the damn Z10ME from China and shift the current cobras to half in Turbat or Quetta and half in Peshawar or Miranshah or Wana.
Point is, if history is a teacher then Iranians are masters of buying time for their chauvinism, we just need to talk to them in a language that they deserve and that they understand.
