Pakistan not to join any camp in Iran-US tussle: FM

[LeGenD]

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is closely observing the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States but will not join any camp in case of a conflict, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters after attending a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Qureshi said Pakistan was concerned over the rising tensions between Tehran and Washington.

He said that any conflict could have negative implications for the entire region, including Pakistan. “Therefore, we need to evolve a clear strategy on this,” the minister said. He, however, made it clear that Pakistan would not join any camp in the ongoing tensions in the Gulf.

His statement came against the backdrop of heightened fears of a clash between the US and Iran. The US had recently sent an aircraft carrier and a bomber taskforce to the Middle East in response to what officials called “a credible threat” by Iranian regime forces.

Saudi Arabia said that several of its oil tankers had been damaged in mysterious “sabotage attacks” after US warnings that Iran could target shipping in the region.

Observers believe that any serious conflict between Iran and the US would test the diplomatic skills of Pakistan, which has close ties with Iran’s arch-rival Saudi Arabia but at the same time does not want to antagonise the neighbouring country.

“Pakistan has good relations with all countries in the Middle East and Iran and we don’t want our relations get damaged,” Qureshi said, while alluding to the Iran-Arab rivalry.

Responding to a question, the foreign minister said Pakistan will develop its strategy, keeping in view its national interest. For this purpose, he said, the government will consult the advisory council on foreign affairs that included several veteran diplomats.

“This is a very sensitive issue. We are closely monitoring the situation. As situation evolves, we are trying to develop a strategy that does not hurt our interests and this region does not get destabilised,” he elaborated.

On the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, Qureshi conceded that Pakistan had to pay penalty charges on a daily basis if it failed to adhere to the multibillion-dollar project. Pakistan, he added, wanted to complete the project but there were certain obstacles in doing so.

The government had reportedly conveyed to the Iranian government of the country’s inability to go ahead with the project in view of the US sanctions. The foreign minister said Pakistan was in contact with Iran to sort out the issue.

White House reviews military plans against Iran: NYT

Meanwhile, briefing the National Assembly panel, the foreign minister clarified that the US had not imposed any visa restrictions on Pakistan. He said that the US was deporting over 70 illegal Pakistanis and Islamabad had asked Washington to fulfil legal requirements about the deportees.

On Afghanistan, Qureshi said Pakistan was facilitating the intra-Afghan dialogue as it considered peace and stability vital for the entire region.

The foreign minister said Pakistan and China were reviewing the matter of human smuggling and an effective policy will be framed in this regard. Some forces wanted to affect the relations between Pakistan and China, he added.

Qureshi informed the committee that he would pay a two-day visit to Kuwait on Saturday for talks with the Kuwaiti leadership.

“Enhancement of bilateral trade will be discussed in the meetings,” he said, adding that the Emir of Qatar was also expected to visit Pakistan in the near future.

Link: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1972934/1-pakistan-not-join-camp-iran-us-tussle-fm/?amp=1

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Border fencing very important.

 

[Pakhtoon yum]

Very good, it's not our problem

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Iran is a free Nation with freedom to choice their Leader

 

[Foxtrot Delta]

Unofficially pakistan will support iran. We don't want another mess like afghanistan at our border. Honestly we would even support india against united states. Usa totally destroys fabrics of a nation and chaos follows. Having said this, iran is much stronger than pakistan they only have a small population thats the down side.

I think they won't attack iran or even if they do it wont be a full on war, just show of force.

Iran has un official support from Turkey, Pakistan, Russia and China. Thats more than enough to ensure usa military action failure.

Saudi arabia is playing and evil game just like in syria and yemen. We need to stay away from saudi plans they are inspired by zion.

We cant be against saudiz ever but we need not support them against iran. If iran was far away country like in north africa or east asia we could afford to take sides. Not in our backyard no sir . No!

 

[Zee-shaun]

Wise dicision. Don't fight someone elses war, never again!

 

[Hamza913]

So silly. We should take this as an opportunity to exploit by backing those that oppose Iran. The Gulf are our allies anyway, Saudi Arabia is already investing in Pakistan quite a big deal. What is Iran doing in comparison? Sucking up to India and creating issues at the border.

 

[Max Pain]

So silly. We should take this as an opportunity to exploit by backing those that oppose Iran. The Gulf are our allies anyway, Saudi Arabia is already investing in Pakistan quite a big deal. What is Iran doing in comparison? Sucking up to India and creating issues at the border.

at the end of the day, a neighbor is a neighbor, you cant choose a neighbor, If God Forbid Iran is to become the next Afghanistan, we for sure will face its effect. Look at the Afghan example. the refugees, the heroin culture, the increased animosity and foremost TERRORISM.

We have to be neutral. plus USA isn't the USA of 60's that actually supported us, USA has blocked almost all the military support so we shouldn't by any means take USA's side. Neutrality is the best option here. Our past experiences dictate that.

 

[xyxmt]

Pakistan should openly support Iran not because I have any love for Iran but because there should not be any more wars and chaos in this region.

iran is much stronger than pakistan they only have a small population thats the down side.

Iran is as powerful as India (paper tigers), creating disorder in small countries is not power but mental disorder.

 

[Awan68]

Unofficially pakistan will support iran. We don't want another mess like afghanistan at our border. Honestly we would even support india against united states. Usa totally destroys fabrics of a nation and chaos follows. Having said this, iran is much stronger than pakistan they only have a small population thats the down side.

I think they won't attack iran or even if they do it wont be a full on war, just show of force.

Iran has un official support from Turkey, Pakistan, Russia and China. Thats more than enough to ensure usa military action failure.

Saudi arabia is playing and evil game just like in syria and yemen. We need to stay away from saudi plans they are inspired by zion.

We cant be against saudiz ever but we need not support them against iran. If iran was far away country like in north africa or east asia we could afford to take sides. Not in our backyard no sir . No!

Iran is much stronger than Pakistan?, did u deduce that by the bollywood fake bravado statements that the Mullah regime vents out?, u are smoking some b grade shit mate. Iran is like an adolescent boy infront of Pakistan and no we wont support Iran unofficialy, we definately want the mullah regime gone in Iran, it serves our interest very well. I will even advocate providing the US intel support from off the record against Iran.

 

[Hamza913]

at the end of the day, a neighbor is a neighbor, you cant choose a neighbor, If God Forbid Iran is to become the next Afghanistan, we for sure will face its effect. Look at the Afghan example. the refugees, the heroin culture, the increased animosity and foremost TERRORISM.

The solution is simple, just don't let any of them in.

We have to be neutral. plus USA isn't the USA of 60's that actually supported us, USA has blocked almost all the military support so we shouldn't by any means take USA's side. Neutrality is the best option here. Our past experiences dictate that.

The US is only against us now because we don't support their interests. A move like this would certainly earn us some favour in their eyes.

iran is much stronger than pakistan

 

[Max Pain]

The solution is simple, just don't let any of them in.



The US is only against us now because we don't support their interests. A move like this would certainly earn us some favour in their eyes.



View attachment 560073

when there's a humanitarian crisis, we cant simply stop the inflow of refugees.

The solution is simple, just don't let any of them in.



The US is only against us now because we don't support their interests. A move like this would certainly earn us some favour in their eyes.



View attachment 560073

The US Favor shall always be short lived. there are multiple instances in the past to prove that.

 

[Pan-Islamic-Pakistan]

The US is only against us now because we don't support their interests. A move like this would certainly earn us some favour in their eyes.

Not worth the cost of civil war in Pakistan and further problems in Afghanistan.

Let’s stay out of this one. We don’t have a stake in this problem.

Under the table, we could provide food and medicine to Iran as a humanitarian gesture like we did during the Gulf war.

Our main contention with Iran is India in Chahbahar, we could leverage it somehow.

 

[Awan68]

Not worth the cost of civil war in Pakistan and further problems in Afghanistan.

Let’s stay out of this one. We don’t have a stake in this problem.

Under the table, we could provide food and medicine to Iran as a humanitarian gesture like we did during the Gulf war.

Our main contention with Iran is India in Chahbahar, we could leverage it somehow.

With Iran put in its place, India would be left with no inroads in Balochistan. Yes under the table we can provide food for Iran and intel assistance to the US. We can leverage intel for benefits from the US.

 

[The Accountant]

Unofficially pakistan will support iran. We don't want another mess like afghanistan at our border. Honestly we would even support india against united states. Usa totally destroys fabrics of a nation and chaos follows. Having said this, iran is much stronger than pakistan they only have a small population thats the down side.

I think they won't attack iran or even if they do it wont be a full on war, just show of force.

Iran has un official support from Turkey, Pakistan, Russia and China. Thats more than enough to ensure usa military action failure.

Saudi arabia is playing and evil game just like in syria and yemen. We need to stay away from saudi plans they are inspired by zion.

We cant be against saudiz ever but we need not support them against iran. If iran was far away country like in north africa or east asia we could afford to take sides. Not in our backyard no sir . No!

No way this is happening. We supported Afghan covertly as we had strategic depth in Afghanistan and in case of loss of comolete control of Afghanistan to northeen alloance it would have become a satellite state of india just loke banhladesh. On the contrary current regime of Iran is already in bed with India so what benefit will we get from cobertly supporting them and disturbing US?

 

[jupiter2007]

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is closely observing the ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States but will not join any camp in case of a conflict, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters after attending a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Qureshi said Pakistan was concerned over the rising tensions between Tehran and Washington.

He said that any conflict could have negative implications for the entire region, including Pakistan. “Therefore, we need to evolve a clear strategy on this,” the minister said. He, however, made it clear that Pakistan would not join any camp in the ongoing tensions in the Gulf.

His statement came against the backdrop of heightened fears of a clash between the US and Iran. The US had recently sent an aircraft carrier and a bomber taskforce to the Middle East in response to what officials called “a credible threat” by Iranian regime forces.

Saudi Arabia said that several of its oil tankers had been damaged in mysterious “sabotage attacks” after US warnings that Iran could target shipping in the region.

Observers believe that any serious conflict between Iran and the US would test the diplomatic skills of Pakistan, which has close ties with Iran’s arch-rival Saudi Arabia but at the same time does not want to antagonise the neighbouring country.

“Pakistan has good relations with all countries in the Middle East and Iran and we don’t want our relations get damaged,” Qureshi said, while alluding to the Iran-Arab rivalry.

Responding to a question, the foreign minister said Pakistan will develop its strategy, keeping in view its national interest. For this purpose, he said, the government will consult the advisory council on foreign affairs that included several veteran diplomats.

“This is a very sensitive issue. We are closely monitoring the situation. As situation evolves, we are trying to develop a strategy that does not hurt our interests and this region does not get destabilised,” he elaborated.

On the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, Qureshi conceded that Pakistan had to pay penalty charges on a daily basis if it failed to adhere to the multibillion-dollar project. Pakistan, he added, wanted to complete the project but there were certain obstacles in doing so.

The government had reportedly conveyed to the Iranian government of the country’s inability to go ahead with the project in view of the US sanctions. The foreign minister said Pakistan was in contact with Iran to sort out the issue.

White House reviews military plans against Iran: NYT

Meanwhile, briefing the National Assembly panel, the foreign minister clarified that the US had not imposed any visa restrictions on Pakistan. He said that the US was deporting over 70 illegal Pakistanis and Islamabad had asked Washington to fulfil legal requirements about the deportees.

On Afghanistan, Qureshi said Pakistan was facilitating the intra-Afghan dialogue as it considered peace and stability vital for the entire region.

The foreign minister said Pakistan and China were reviewing the matter of human smuggling and an effective policy will be framed in this regard. Some forces wanted to affect the relations between Pakistan and China, he added.

Qureshi informed the committee that he would pay a two-day visit to Kuwait on Saturday for talks with the Kuwaiti leadership.

“Enhancement of bilateral trade will be discussed in the meetings,” he said, adding that the Emir of Qatar was also expected to visit Pakistan in the near future.

Link: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1972934/1-pakistan-not-join-camp-iran-us-tussle-fm/?amp=1

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Border fencing very important.

USA is probably using paid terrorist to cause some damages in Arab countries to blame on Iran. USA has the same plan for Iran and Pakistan what they had for Iraq and Syria.
If Saudi Arabia have to pick sides, we all know who they will pick. I am sure they won’t pick us.
Next will be Pakistan, to prevent this, we need political instability, sustainable economy and strong foreign policy.

Current government need to fix our house from inside. We need to have strong foreign policy and good relationship with Russia, China, Germany and Brazil.

Our politicians have not shown any maturity. They need to stop fish market politics and make laws to fix all the internal system and work toward improving economy.