QASEM Soleimani’s murder on the order of US President Donald Trump shocked the world and angered Iran. The supreme Iranian leader has vowed to take revenge.

Iran has always been under severe sanctions from America over its nuclear programme. These restrictions have hurt Iran economically and isolated it in world trade.

What will happen if war breaks out between Iran and America? What will be the stance and policy of Pakistan? If there is an armed conflict between the two countries, it will have serious repercussions for the whole world.

Pakistan will be affected because it shares borders with Iran. In this scenario, America will, obviously, ask for Pakistan’s cooperation once again. Saudi Arabia too will try to convince Pakistan.

This issue should be discussed in our parliament because siding with America in Afghanistan after Sept 11 cost us too much as our economy was hit badly, while we saw a bloody wave of terrorism in which we lost over 70,000 people. Therefore, it is important for us to come out with a clear-cut policy on this issue before a conflict starts between Iran and America.

In my opinion, Pakistan, along with friendly countries should try to ease tensions between the US and Iran. Pakistan should try to engage countries such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and the UAE to convince Iran not to retaliate and use diplomacy instead by having talks with America.

The US should also learn a lesson from Afghanistan before going to another war in our neighbourhood. War is never a solution, while peace talks are a better option.

Syed Badshah

Buner

(2)

THE recent escalation of tensions between Iran and the US could be the precursor to cataclysm in the region. The Middle East has been on fire for decades. Owing to two major foreign interventions and internal instabilities, Yemen, Iraq and Syria have been hit hard by civil wars, terrorism and external proxies.

On the other hand, people are suffering from monarchies and dictatorial regimes in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Because of the mess in the Middle East, Iran has emerged as a regional power despite stringent sanctions by the US to stop Tehran’s ascent.

Iran’s strength does not only lie in its military muscle but also in its ideology and social fabric. It possesses a strong religious ideology and societal characteristics of Persian civilisation.

Living with economic sanctions or its eight-year war with Iraq, the Iranian people possess tremendous determination. This strength is backed by religious ideology that is reinforced with focus on education. Iran has been promoting universal education, which has made it self-sustainable.

Unlike Iraq, which was devastated by its dictator and lacked national cohesion, Iran is united and has the will to see off all those who torment it.

Rubab Kazi

Sukkur

(3)

THE murder of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commander, Maj-Gen Qassem Soleimani, is an attempt by the United States to undermine the results achieved by peace loving Muslim countries after the defeat of the Islamic State militant group. This incident will have grievous implications for the region.

The assassination has been condemned by Pakistan, many Muslim countries, Western states besides China and Russia.

The infamy committed by Washington is a violation of international law and state sovereignty. In midst of this chaos, all states should react reasonably, keeping in view the larger interests of the people of the world and avoid any escalation in further violence.

Mohsin Qamar

Chiniot

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2020