E-Paper
The Iran Aspect
Islamabad believes that Iran is an opponent of Gwadar port, as it would compete with Iran's newly built Chahbahar Port to emerge as a gateway to Central Asia.
Iran shares a long rugged border with Pakistan and is well placed to touch off new controversies with Balochistan.
The problem is that the ayatollahs of Iran have their own fair share of restive Balochis, and any surge in Baloch nationalism will give them cause for worry.
The last time the Balochis decided to rebel, Iran loaned its helicopters to the Pakistani army to help put them down.
From an economic standpoint too, a disturbed Balochistan works against Iranian interests, not least because that pipeline across Pakistan would become impossible to build and operate.
Islamabad believes that Iran is an opponent of Gwadar port, as it would compete with Iran's newly built Chahbahar Port to emerge as a gateway to Central Asia.
Pakistani intelligence agencies believe that Iran and India are providing financial support and arms to insurgents as they are not happy with the construction of the Gwadar port.
