TREAD! Pakistan-Iran fencing?
Why fencing #Iran border w/ Pakistan is a big challenge for Islamabad, not due to money but for the following reason—I am delineating below:
There are 4 issues related but distinct....
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Why fencing #Iran border w/ Pakistan is a big challenge for Islamabad, not due to money but for the following reason—I am delineating below:
There are 4 issues related but distinct....
1/
1. Narco route
2. 🇮🇷’s grey economy
3. Human trafficking
4. Border economy
I ll address narco issue first:
Illicit drug trade originates from #Afghanistan; is worth up 2 $70B yearly in #UK streets; up to $3 bill is invested back in region rest end up in western banks. 2/
2. 🇮🇷’s grey economy
3. Human trafficking
4. Border economy
I ll address narco issue first:
Illicit drug trade originates from #Afghanistan; is worth up 2 $70B yearly in #UK streets; up to $3 bill is invested back in region rest end up in western banks. 2/
Porous border is used 4 narco logistics/route.
Drugs cartel funds terrorism, & warlordism & mafias in border regions of 🇦🇫, 🇵🇰 & 🇮🇷; they have influence in weak state like 🇦🇫 & desperate elements in structures in Iran 🇮🇷 who do not want stringent border between 🇮🇷 & 🇵🇰.
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Drugs cartel funds terrorism, & warlordism & mafias in border regions of 🇦🇫, 🇵🇰 & 🇮🇷; they have influence in weak state like 🇦🇫 & desperate elements in structures in Iran 🇮🇷 who do not want stringent border between 🇮🇷 & 🇵🇰.
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Second issue is 🇮🇷’s oil economy greased up 2 $300 mills by smuggling into 🇵🇰 & 🇦🇫 via border.
Hence it preempts 2 see efforts 4 unfrequented routes sealed by 🇵🇰.
🇮🇷 was very opposed to fencing last time when it was raised, despite 🇮🇷 has no border dispute w/ 🇵🇰.
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Hence it preempts 2 see efforts 4 unfrequented routes sealed by 🇵🇰.
🇮🇷 was very opposed to fencing last time when it was raised, despite 🇮🇷 has no border dispute w/ 🇵🇰.
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Then there is a small border economy due to trade on both sides of the border along this remote region.
Locals have no access to basic facilities & can not find day 2 day items coming from areas/regions as far a field (i,e, up to 300km away).
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Locals have no access to basic facilities & can not find day 2 day items coming from areas/regions as far a field (i,e, up to 300km away).
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W/ the above context, these issues are cause 4 concern 4 Pakistan:
a. reaction of #Iranian state
b. response of narco mafia
c. reaction of local community
d. effects on local market & livelihood
e. fate of grey economy.
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a. reaction of #Iranian state
b. response of narco mafia
c. reaction of local community
d. effects on local market & livelihood
e. fate of grey economy.
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But strong logic also exits 4 Pakistan 2 fence the border:
(i) threat of separatists hiding across border
(ii) #RAW’s presence in Chabahar using smugglers 2 destabilise #Balochistan
(iii) no state worth salt functions w/ open borders ....
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(i) threat of separatists hiding across border
(ii) #RAW’s presence in Chabahar using smugglers 2 destabilise #Balochistan
(iii) no state worth salt functions w/ open borders ....
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(iv) huge cost to man security of 44 % of Pakistan ( eg, Balochistan) w/ its 900km open border w/ Iran.
&
(v) #CPEC makes fencing even more urgent 4 its security.
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&
(v) #CPEC makes fencing even more urgent 4 its security.
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In wake of latest sad tragedy of 6 soldiers martyred this week near Iran border, #COAS Qamar Bajwa spoke 2 his Iranian counter part & Govt agreed 2 fund fencing border.
Challenges apart, 🇵🇰 can no longer afford open border w/ Iran after almost fencing 70% w/ 🇦🇫. End
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Challenges apart, 🇵🇰 can no longer afford open border w/ Iran after almost fencing 70% w/ 🇦🇫. End
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