Five Iranian border guards were abducted by the Al Qaeda linked militant group Jaishul Adl near the Pak-Iran border in Balochistan a couple of months ago. One of them was killed two weeks ago, creating uproar in Tehran that has repeatedly sought Islamabad’s accountability over the incident. The four remaining body guards were handed over to Iranian officials last week by the militants.
The Iranian parliament has since (on Sunday) approved a bill vying to enhance security cooperation between Pakistan and Iran. And at a time when Islamabad has been hobnobbing with Riyadh, and showing willingness to become an important pawn in the Saudi riyalpolitics, the bill signed in Tehran poses some very pertinent – and very familiar – questions to Islamabad.
Abduction and backlash
In February, Jaishul Adl continued its “tit for tat” manoeuvres by kidnapping five Iranian border guards in Iran’s southeast province of Sistan-Baluchestan – 15 kilometres inside the Iranian territory. Pictures of the border guards were posted on Jaishul Adl’s Facebook page depicting them handcuffed at an unknown location.
The abduction followed the assassination of an Iranian prosecutor in November, and an ambush on border guards in October in which 14 of them were killed. These moves have been touted as retaliation to, among other killings, Tehran executing 16 Sunni rebels in October 2013 and the June 2010 execution of allied militant group Jundallah’s leader Abdolmalek Riggi.
Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sought United Nations’ help following Islamabad’s silence on the matter. UN chief Ban Ki moon in turn dubbed the killing “appalling”, further turning the screw on Islamabad, increasing the pressure on Pakistan to come up with a prudent explanation.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that since Pakistan is not capable enough of securing its common borders with Iran, it should entrust this arduous task to Iran,” said Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission member Evaz Heidarpour, echoing the popular sentiment in Tehran.
The Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Rapporteur Seyed Hossein Naqavi Hosseini backed Heidarpour’s words by saying, “Pakistani government is responsible for the safety of the abducted Iranian border guards.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani demanded Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif take serious action regarding the matter, while the foreign ministry sought Pakistan’s charge d’affaires’ response, which was procrastinated over until UN issued its condemnation.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam’s reply was to deny the presence of the border guards in Pakistan, claiming there was no evidence to suggest the contrary. A week later Jaishul Adl released the guards, following Irani Sunni clerics’ mediation.
‘Do more’
This Sunday, the Iranian parliament approved the bill that is supposed to facilitate Iran and Pakistan in enhancing security cooperation. The legislators approved the general terms of the bill with 187 votes in support, 14 opposing it and six abstentions.
The bill’s solitary article contains 11 clauses that discuss cooperation areas, costs and methods and earmark ministries that would be responsible for ensuring security.
Other issues pertaining to the Pakistan-Iran security pact signed in February 2013 were also discussed. The security pact was signed by the previous, PPP-led, government virtually days before its term came to an end. The pact highlighted anti-terror cooperation, and measures to combat human and drug trafficking as the area of focus.
[quote]Iran has joined the queue of countries asking Pakistan to "do more" on the anti-terrorism front[/quote]
The bill has highlighted the need for both countries to exchange lists that enumerate extremist groups operating on either side of the rather porous border. Pinpointing militant groups and criminal elements, and urging action against them is the main focus of the bill. And clearly through the recent legislation, Tehran has thrown the gauntlet towards Islamabad to prove its dedication as far as ensuring security in the region and eradication of cross-border militancy are concerned. Iran has joined the queue of countries asking Pakistan to “do more” on the anti-terrorism front.
Iranian Border Guard Units Commander General Hossein Zolfaqari, again like many of his compatriots, claims that the Pakistan’s security forces played no part in the release of border guards. “Although some actions were taken by the Pakistani border guards to find their Iranian colleagues, the Pakistani intelligence, military and police forces played no role in releasing the hostages,” Zolfaqari said.
Considering that according to Fars News Agency “the four border guards entered Iran after crossing the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region,” the Foreign Office’s initial silence, followed by denial of the border guards’ presence in Pakistan, has come under severe scrutiny.
Even so, former Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri believes it’s a case of difference in narratives. “It’s a good thing that the border guards have been returned and unfortunate that one of them was killed. When I was the foreign minister we had to deal with a large number of abductions and the solution always lies in transparent coordination on anti-terrorism efforts and intelligence sharing,” Kasuri said.
Kasuri believes that Iran needs to understand the fact that Pakistan has its own security concerns to deal with and claimed that the aggressive verbiage coming out of Tehran was “unfortunate”.
“The Iranian ministry’s statement that vociferously condemns Pakistan over the incident is rather unfortunate and Tehran needs to realise that Pakistan has major security issues of its own to deal with. There is a need to talk to one another instead of talking at one another,” Kasuri said.
[quote]The word is that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit Iran soon[/quote]
Islamabad’s intent
Pakistan’s keenness in eradicating militancy has again come under the radar at a time when the American media is reporting how the Pakistani intelligence agencies were aware of Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts while the world’s most wanted terrorist “safely” spent a decade in the country. Furthermore, the current government’s appeasement policy as far as the negotiations with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are concerned, also slashes a question mark over Islamabad’s intent in curbing terrorism. That the border guards’ abduction and Pakistan’s “non-response” has coincided with Pakistan getting closer to Saudi Arabia has also been highlighted.
Shahab Jafry, the Middle East Correspondent of Pakistan Today, believes that the Iranian parliament’s manoeuvre is the logical corollary of the Saudis trying to “purchase” Pakistan’s foreign policy book. “The Saudis are financing both the militants and the current Pakistan government, which is what Iran is apprehensive about. Till the current ruling party is at the helm, this wariness would continue and Islamabad’s ties with Tehran do not seem like improving in the near future,” he said.
Kasuri was more optimistic. He believes Pakistan should follow the foreign policy fundamental of “bilateralism” instead of letting other countries dictate their foreign relations. “I would like to believe that Pakistan would continue the policy of non-interference in Syria and follow the principle of bilateralism. Both Iran and Saudi Arabia are strategic partners for Pakistan, and enhancement in bilateral ties with one shouldn’t come at the expense of the other.”
Burden of proof
Senior analyst Nasim Zehra has, however, rubbished the Iranian claims, and believes that Tehran is using Islamabad – “the poster boy for everything that is bad in the region” – to shroud its internal security shortcomings. “There are reports that suggest that the Iranian border guards were kept within Iranian territory and were released from within Iran as well. The Iranian intelligence has been negotiating with Jaishul Adl, and recently released rebels to appease the militants as well. This abduction has been Iran’s internal matter throughout, which is why the Foreign Office has given the un-called for allegations, the shut up call that they deserved.”
Zehra believes the bill has been passed more out of embarrassment than anything else, considering that there is “no proof” that the guards ever crossed the Pakistani border. “Iran actually owes Pakistan an apology. The recent surge in sectarianism is unfortunate, but that doesn’t mean Rouhani calls up Nawaz in London demanding action without any proof against Islamabad. However, one feels that Rouhani was misinformed.”
Given Pakistan’s history with terrorists and the very palpable reluctance in taking stern action against militancy, the burden of proof would lie with Islamabad as far as not doing enough for cross-border terrorism is concerned. That the border guards’ episode has overlapped with Saudis vying to get Pakistan’s services in the Middle East further adds fuel to fire. The word is that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would be visiting Iran soon, and if that visit goes ahead, Islamabad might defy the sceptics and actually signal its intent of maintaining friendly ties with both Riyadh and Tehran, which undoubtedly is the need of the hour. Till then spotlight would rest on, to use Evaz Heidarpour’s words, “Islamabad’s failure in several cases to stop operations of terrorist groups which take shelter in Pakistan’s territories.”
The Iranian parliament has since (on Sunday) approved a bill vying to enhance security cooperation between Pakistan and Iran. And at a time when Islamabad has been hobnobbing with Riyadh, and showing willingness to become an important pawn in the Saudi riyalpolitics, the bill signed in Tehran poses some very pertinent – and very familiar – questions to Islamabad.
Abduction and backlash
In February, Jaishul Adl continued its “tit for tat” manoeuvres by kidnapping five Iranian border guards in Iran’s southeast province of Sistan-Baluchestan – 15 kilometres inside the Iranian territory. Pictures of the border guards were posted on Jaishul Adl’s Facebook page depicting them handcuffed at an unknown location.
The abduction followed the assassination of an Iranian prosecutor in November, and an ambush on border guards in October in which 14 of them were killed. These moves have been touted as retaliation to, among other killings, Tehran executing 16 Sunni rebels in October 2013 and the June 2010 execution of allied militant group Jundallah’s leader Abdolmalek Riggi.
Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sought United Nations’ help following Islamabad’s silence on the matter. UN chief Ban Ki moon in turn dubbed the killing “appalling”, further turning the screw on Islamabad, increasing the pressure on Pakistan to come up with a prudent explanation.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that since Pakistan is not capable enough of securing its common borders with Iran, it should entrust this arduous task to Iran,” said Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission member Evaz Heidarpour, echoing the popular sentiment in Tehran.
The Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Rapporteur Seyed Hossein Naqavi Hosseini backed Heidarpour’s words by saying, “Pakistani government is responsible for the safety of the abducted Iranian border guards.”
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani demanded Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif take serious action regarding the matter, while the foreign ministry sought Pakistan’s charge d’affaires’ response, which was procrastinated over until UN issued its condemnation.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam’s reply was to deny the presence of the border guards in Pakistan, claiming there was no evidence to suggest the contrary. A week later Jaishul Adl released the guards, following Irani Sunni clerics’ mediation.
‘Do more’
This Sunday, the Iranian parliament approved the bill that is supposed to facilitate Iran and Pakistan in enhancing security cooperation. The legislators approved the general terms of the bill with 187 votes in support, 14 opposing it and six abstentions.
The bill’s solitary article contains 11 clauses that discuss cooperation areas, costs and methods and earmark ministries that would be responsible for ensuring security.
Other issues pertaining to the Pakistan-Iran security pact signed in February 2013 were also discussed. The security pact was signed by the previous, PPP-led, government virtually days before its term came to an end. The pact highlighted anti-terror cooperation, and measures to combat human and drug trafficking as the area of focus.
[quote]Iran has joined the queue of countries asking Pakistan to "do more" on the anti-terrorism front[/quote]
The bill has highlighted the need for both countries to exchange lists that enumerate extremist groups operating on either side of the rather porous border. Pinpointing militant groups and criminal elements, and urging action against them is the main focus of the bill. And clearly through the recent legislation, Tehran has thrown the gauntlet towards Islamabad to prove its dedication as far as ensuring security in the region and eradication of cross-border militancy are concerned. Iran has joined the queue of countries asking Pakistan to “do more” on the anti-terrorism front.
Iranian Border Guard Units Commander General Hossein Zolfaqari, again like many of his compatriots, claims that the Pakistan’s security forces played no part in the release of border guards. “Although some actions were taken by the Pakistani border guards to find their Iranian colleagues, the Pakistani intelligence, military and police forces played no role in releasing the hostages,” Zolfaqari said.
Considering that according to Fars News Agency “the four border guards entered Iran after crossing the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region,” the Foreign Office’s initial silence, followed by denial of the border guards’ presence in Pakistan, has come under severe scrutiny.
Even so, former Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri believes it’s a case of difference in narratives. “It’s a good thing that the border guards have been returned and unfortunate that one of them was killed. When I was the foreign minister we had to deal with a large number of abductions and the solution always lies in transparent coordination on anti-terrorism efforts and intelligence sharing,” Kasuri said.
Kasuri believes that Iran needs to understand the fact that Pakistan has its own security concerns to deal with and claimed that the aggressive verbiage coming out of Tehran was “unfortunate”.
“The Iranian ministry’s statement that vociferously condemns Pakistan over the incident is rather unfortunate and Tehran needs to realise that Pakistan has major security issues of its own to deal with. There is a need to talk to one another instead of talking at one another,” Kasuri said.
[quote]The word is that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit Iran soon[/quote]
Islamabad’s intent
Pakistan’s keenness in eradicating militancy has again come under the radar at a time when the American media is reporting how the Pakistani intelligence agencies were aware of Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts while the world’s most wanted terrorist “safely” spent a decade in the country. Furthermore, the current government’s appeasement policy as far as the negotiations with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are concerned, also slashes a question mark over Islamabad’s intent in curbing terrorism. That the border guards’ abduction and Pakistan’s “non-response” has coincided with Pakistan getting closer to Saudi Arabia has also been highlighted.
Shahab Jafry, the Middle East Correspondent of Pakistan Today, believes that the Iranian parliament’s manoeuvre is the logical corollary of the Saudis trying to “purchase” Pakistan’s foreign policy book. “The Saudis are financing both the militants and the current Pakistan government, which is what Iran is apprehensive about. Till the current ruling party is at the helm, this wariness would continue and Islamabad’s ties with Tehran do not seem like improving in the near future,” he said.
Kasuri was more optimistic. He believes Pakistan should follow the foreign policy fundamental of “bilateralism” instead of letting other countries dictate their foreign relations. “I would like to believe that Pakistan would continue the policy of non-interference in Syria and follow the principle of bilateralism. Both Iran and Saudi Arabia are strategic partners for Pakistan, and enhancement in bilateral ties with one shouldn’t come at the expense of the other.”
Burden of proof
Senior analyst Nasim Zehra has, however, rubbished the Iranian claims, and believes that Tehran is using Islamabad – “the poster boy for everything that is bad in the region” – to shroud its internal security shortcomings. “There are reports that suggest that the Iranian border guards were kept within Iranian territory and were released from within Iran as well. The Iranian intelligence has been negotiating with Jaishul Adl, and recently released rebels to appease the militants as well. This abduction has been Iran’s internal matter throughout, which is why the Foreign Office has given the un-called for allegations, the shut up call that they deserved.”
Zehra believes the bill has been passed more out of embarrassment than anything else, considering that there is “no proof” that the guards ever crossed the Pakistani border. “Iran actually owes Pakistan an apology. The recent surge in sectarianism is unfortunate, but that doesn’t mean Rouhani calls up Nawaz in London demanding action without any proof against Islamabad. However, one feels that Rouhani was misinformed.”
Given Pakistan’s history with terrorists and the very palpable reluctance in taking stern action against militancy, the burden of proof would lie with Islamabad as far as not doing enough for cross-border terrorism is concerned. That the border guards’ episode has overlapped with Saudis vying to get Pakistan’s services in the Middle East further adds fuel to fire. The word is that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would be visiting Iran soon, and if that visit goes ahead, Islamabad might defy the sceptics and actually signal its intent of maintaining friendly ties with both Riyadh and Tehran, which undoubtedly is the need of the hour. Till then spotlight would rest on, to use Evaz Heidarpour’s words, “Islamabad’s failure in several cases to stop operations of terrorist groups which take shelter in Pakistan’s territories.”