By: Kayhan Int’l Staff Writer
     
The peaceful policies of the Islamic Republic; its insistence on diplomacy to resolve misunderstandings and conflicts; its endeavours to promote trade, cultural, scientific and all other bilateral and multilateral ties; and its staunch support for the denied rights of the oppressed, is known to the whole world, which also very well knows that Iran neither imposes itself upon others nor has attacked any country, but at the same time it resolutely defends itself in the face of any aggression.
This clear cut stance of Iran was among the reasons that brought Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan Niyazi to Tehran on a goodwill mission, which in his own words is his personal initiative and not any kind of mediation to make the region tension-free through exploring the prospects of a dialogue with Saudi Arabia.
The former Cricket Captain’s sporting spirit is highly appreciative, and during his press conference with his host, President Hassan Rouhani, he was assured that any good gesture will indeed be reciprocated in like manner by Islamic Iran, which expects sincere and concrete measures – and not empty words – to end the crises in the region.
Imran Khan’s hopes, however, of starting a dialogue between Iran and the U.S. for ending sanctions, or more properly America’s economic terrorism, seemed far- fetched, given the untrustworthy, if not criminal nature of President Donald Trump, and Iran’s principled stand that any talks depend on Washington’s rejoining the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action) regarding Iran’s inalienable right to peaceful nuclear energy, which the American president had blatantly breached.   
The honourable guest, also heard the remarks of the Iranian President during the joint press conference that those who made the big blunder of targeting the Iranian oil tanker, SABITI, with missiles off the Red Sea port of Jeddah, will be receive due punishment once the investigations are complete regarding their identity.
Imran Khan, who is on his second official visit to Iran since becoming Prime Minister – the previous one was in last April when he directly landed in holy Mashhad from Islamabad to pay respects at the blessed shrine of Imam Reza (AS), the 8th Infallible Heir of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) – seems to have chosen the appropriate time for the present trip when scores of thousands of Pakistani pilgrims on their way to Karbala for commemorating the Arb’aeen anniversary of the Chief of Martyrs, Imam Husain (AS), are being accorded the best of hospitality, as an indication of the fraternal bonds between the two friendly Muslim neighbours.
These ties could be further enhanced, if Pakistan were to shrug off pressures by the meddling Americans and their regional clients, to increase the volume of bilateral trade with Iran from the present 2 billion dollars per annum to 5 billion dollars.
Islamabad should take the courageous step of connecting its side of the joint border with Iran’s natural gas pipeline which will indeed greatly benefit the Pakistani economy and the Pakistani people, more than the few million dollars that the regime in Riyadh doles out to prevent any such link.
In the words of Pakistani Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmoud Qureshi, who is accompanying his Prime Minister: "Saudi Arabia is our strategic partner, whereas Iran is a friend and neighbour. We are seeking that misunderstandings between the two Muslim countries will be cleared through talks.”
Sweet words indeed, but goodwill requires real change of heart, coupled with practical measures, and not any fruitless rounds of diplomacy, which will neither stop the war in Yemen nor end the unwanted American presence in the region.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who cordially received the Chief Guest from Pakistan, was frank and forthright in this regard when he pointed out to the mischief wrought by Riyadh in destabilizing Syria and Iraq, and said: "We presented a four-point plan long ag for end of the war in Yemen that could have restored stability, but unfortunately certain countries seem to be acting as per the dictates of the US.
He also made it clear to Imran Khan that Iran has never aggressed any country, but those looking for a fight will deeply regret it.
The Pakistani Prime Minister said he intends to travel to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to apprise Riyadh of Tehran’s principled position.
All the best for his sincere endeavours, which seems to be a gargantuan task to succeed, in view of the presence of CENTCOM terrorists all over the region and the subservience of regional states to the U.S.