Pakistan-Iran relations

E-Paper | June 12, 2026

TODAY Afghanistan is worse off after 11 years of occupation by the United States.

Besides human rights violations, killing of thousands of innocent men, women and children, record growing opium and so on, the people of Afghanistan have been turned into Pakistan’s worst enemies.

No future Afghan government dare be friendly with Pakistan. Our only friend Iran has totally been ignored by us to appease our masters.

Why should we impose sanctions on Iran and refuse to allow the most economical gas pipeline to Pakistan? Gas shortage is crippling Pakistan’s economy.

AURANGZEB Rawalpindi

Gas pipeline THE US State Department once said that Pakistan should not go ahead with any project with Iran, including the ongoing gas pipeline project. If Pakistan does not relinquish the methane gas project, it will have to face serious sanctions.

Pakistan should pay heed to the US State Department and relinquish the Iran gas project. This is because for Pakistan, the US is a more significant helper while Iran is not even a developed country. We cannot ignore the fact that Pakistan immediately requires a supply of domestic gas, but we should try to use an alternative source for methane production, e.g., biodegradable materials.

Besides, in future with the help of the US, Pakistan could be able to increase the production of methane. So, we should wait.

By making Iran our friend, we are making the US our enemy; annoying a country such as the US could cause Pakistan immense damage.

RAHUL KARAMAT BARLAAS Bagh, Azad Kashmir

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SHERYAAR

Jul 19, 2012 10:13am

MR. RAHUL'S ARTICLE IS VERY FUNNY. HE IS ADVISING PAKISTAN TO LISTEN TO USA AND DITCH IRAN AT TIMES WHEN IRAN NEEDS OUR HELP. MAY BE HE IS FORGETTING THAT USA IS THE ONE WHO HAVE AND WILL DITCH PAKISTAN AGAIN ONCE ALL THIER GOALS ARE ACHIEVED. MAY BE HE LIKES TO BE A SLAVE FOR A PARTICULAR COUNTRY BUT MAX PEOPLE DONT THINK THAT WAY. WE ARE AFRAID OF GOD ONLY AND NOT BY ANY OTHER COUNTRY.

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Taxla

Jul 19, 2012 02:48pm

Iran is Pakistan's neighbour. When all things are said and done and it comes to pass, Iran will stil be our neighbour and US stil be in a different continent. According to Henry Kissinger, America has no friends, only interests and according to him it is bad to be America's enemy, but worst to be friend. Pakistan for its survival and prosperity must not ditch its neighbours like Iran, Afghanistan, India and China for they are not going anywhere and you still have to deal with them on daily basis. As far US demands, they will keep growing till you have nothing left, look at Iraq, Afghanistan, and many south american countries ruined. Pakistan should go your way and be strong in their conviction and Good Luck because you will need it.

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Sam

Jul 19, 2012 04:11am

Pakistan dont have any gas shortage.Karachi is already generating full domestic and industrial electricity by using gas generators.Karachi have no restrictions and no rationing of gas. Pakistan still have plenty of gas reserves and gas resources therefore we must not waste Pakistan's hard earned money on this useless gas pipeline.

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ayesha

Jul 19, 2012 04:27am

no we have to focus on bilateral relationships with both countries because one i s super power and second is our neigbour country ,we can ignore both at any cost.now its totally depand on nour policy makers what they decide.

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Brian Adams

Jul 19, 2012 06:16am

i think we should carry on the gas project with iran. because iranians are muslims and so are pakistanies. muslims should unite and help each other out in the time of need.whereas Us is just trying to invade iran. pakistan is not bound by any country. the gas pipeline project is more beneficial to pakistan than by being an ally of Us. The Us has always degraded Pakistan. Even if the Us put sanctions on Pakistan, it will not effect Pakistan that much. However if Pakistan again stops the nato supply ,it will cause us more damage. So pakistan can seize the nato supply again if Us tries to force Pakistan in any way.

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Manu

Jul 19, 2012 06:45am

The Us is squeezing Iran with the objective of regime change to a more pliable regime. Once that objective is achieved US access to Afghanistan will be no more reliant on Pak which will lose its geographical advantage. So it is in Pak's interest to shore up the present Iran regime except that Pak has only 2 options - the devil or the deep sea

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guest

Jul 19, 2012 08:10am

imperialism from any country should not pour onto Pakistan presently when the need is to promote peaceful relations and strategy with neighbors and other countries based on equality.

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aku

Jul 19, 2012 08:17am

Pakistan must defend it's interests. Blind submission to US in the last 60 year has not taken us anywhere. With worlds 3rd largest oil reserves, 2nd largest gas reserves, huge agricultural and industrial setup, rich investors, and most importantly neighbour of Pakistan, cannot be ignored. In fact, West and US realize that very much and hence continue to do business here in Iran while we are threatened not to work with them, which unfortunately we very subservently oblige. No need to be enemies with anybody. But we must take a stand where it is needed. India is a good example. Without reducing its trade ties with Iran, they are still able to be in the good books of US getting all exemptions from the sanctions.

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latif

Jul 19, 2012 09:01am

This is because Indian economy is getting bigger and bigger, and by 2050, it will be third right after USA. Americans cannot ignore Indians. And anyway, Indians love Americans.

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Sam

Jul 19, 2012 04:59pm

Pakistan dont need gas anymore.We already have plenty of gas reserves. if Iran can sell something else then Pakistan should buy it.

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Sam

Jul 19, 2012 05:01pm

We dont need gas as Pakistan already have largest gas reserves.There is no problem in buying something else from Iran.

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Raja Imran sharjah.

Jul 19, 2012 09:27pm

Its good to develop understanding with U.S.A.but not at the cost of sovereignty and integrity of pakistan.Being a Muslim we cant forget the teaching of holy quran regarding our next door neighbourers. Afghanistan and Iran.Iran has soft corner for pakistan.Iran inivited pakistan to join hand to extend a pipe line project.But pakistan is still reluctant to take initiative because it cant go against the threat of u.S.A.But how long will pakistan keep on compromising their interests I to make happy her God father?Pakistan should develop good understading with Iran and Afghistan for the betterment of pakistani nation.

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Prof. Majeed Ali

Jul 24, 2012 06:04pm

Your view are too harsh and discourage one from speaking freely; your comment is very illogical. You should please try to be more kind.

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