After having come to power the 11th government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, it is my first official visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The cultural, historical, political, economical ties and the security concerns are the major factors which bring the nations and governments closer to each other. The two great nations, Iran and Pakistan, have all these components for mutual cooperation, as for as the religious culture is concerned, the role of Allama Muhammad Iqbal Lahori is so rich and valuable that all those who are reviving the rich Islamic culture and civilization and have the idea to spread the unity of muslimummah, think of him. The affection and attachment of the Iranians towards the great philosopher and religious reformer multiplies when he narrates his deep ideology in Persian language and finds the “Articulation in Dari” “Even sweeter”. The teachings of this rare thinker are still the guidelines of the journey towards the “Unity of the Muslim World”. In the light of such teachings, the fragmentation and sectarianism could be replaced with unity and passion and the process of evolution in the Islamic world might be started. The voice the preacher of Muslim unity still resounds in the ears of the true believers:
(We’re from Hijaz and China and Iran, We’re the dew drops of a blessed morning; We’re drunk with eyes of the “Butler of Bat’ha”, We’re, in this world, like wine and decanter; We’ve the same smell like a flower of hundreds of petals, He’s the soul of this world and He’s the only one)
Iran is the first country to recognize the independence of Pakistan and the two neighboring countries have always enjoyed constructive relations. Establishing security on the borders and fighting against extremism & violence are taken as the crucial aspects of a constructive relation between two countries. Long borders of the two countries could be a constrictive element in strengthening mutual relations more than ever, and to establish better cooperation, not only between two countries but among the countries of the region. It is immediate need of the people of Pakistan, and in the larger scenario need of the Subcontinent, to have access to the rich oil & gas resources of Iran which not only could be helpful in economic growth of the both countries but also provide the possibilities of reducing tension in the region and developing warm and sincere relations.
The Islamic Republic of Iran wants to have healthy and equality based relation with the world. Constructive relations with the neighbors and the Islamic world are at the priority list of our foreign policy. Fortunately, to enhance the bilateral relations, there are some regional and international organizations e.g. Organization of Islamic Cooperation (O.I.C), Economic Cooperation Organization (E.C.O), Group of the Developing Muslim Countries (D-8), which could be helpful in energy crises, gas pipeline project, mutual trade, geographical issues, cultural and historical commonalities, and on the other hand, after lifting the unjust sanctions against Iran, the ground is just prepared for a rapid leap in establishing bilateral and multilateral economical relations, developing trade and strengthening political-cultural ties, more than ever. In this context, both countries have tried to bring private sector into business and it’ll make a big difference in developing better relations.
Although the extremism is a terrible disease that encroached upon the whole world, but the Muslim world has suffered more than others from this scourge. The basic reason of ever increasing extremism is the failure of the leaders of the Islamic countries in the creation of innovative society and secondly the monitory and ideological interference of the foreign forces. Even before getting power and dominance, the only way to counter the terrorism, is to establish developed societies through cultural efforts. The unity of Ummah and the followers of all the Mazahib both Shia and Sunni and other Islamic sects to make the developed society is possible.
Stability and security of the countries are linked to each other and no country can no longer be held hostage. Destabilisation of others causes everlasting conflicts that benefit nobody. The complexity of ethnic, territorial, geographical and historical conflicts caused widespread instability in the region. Only under the shades of foresightedness and wisdom, a constructive solution could be found. Instability in the region has led to the growth of extremism and violence.
The outcome of this phenomenon is not necessarily confined within national borders, but the consequences could actually disrupt the global system. As a result, it is obvious that nowhere and no one is safe today, as we see thousands of kilometers away from the conflict of the Middle East, vengeful extremists have gone to the centre of allied countries who were considering them and their countrymen safe from the threat of violence because of the distances. The extremism has shown that in today’s interconnected world, borders have lost their color, and due to inequality, this phenomenon can emerge from any part of the world and can covert it into the hell of political instability and social conflicts. Last but not the least, violence based policies spin back to its makers and does not recognize color, race and geography. It is a global phenomenon and the international community must cooperate to deal with it.
I believe that, at this crucial moment of the history of relations between the two countries, it is essential for Pakistan and Iran, on the basis of decades long experience of friendly relations, should lay the cornerstone of a new bilateral engagement based on the mutual interests of the two countries. Mutual collaboration of the two countries can also be beneficial on regional and global level. Pakistan and Iran having been at the East-West Corridor, can account for a better share in global economic & cultural development. Both countries have potential to expand economic exchanges and cooperation greater than the volume of which is now they share.
Islamic Republic of Iran hopes that the capacity of mutual cooperation will expand on the basis of the factual ground, better than before. People of the two neighboring countries expect from their leaders to handover a more prosperous, more cooperative and stronger region to the upcoming generations.
The basic reason of ever increasing extremism is the failure of the leaders of the Islamic countries in the creation of innovative society and secondly the monitory and ideological interference of the foreign forces.