Pakistan embassy in DC faces Iran protest heat

by Ahmar Mustikhan | June 24, 2009 at 10:00 am

832 views | 2 Recommendations | 9 comments

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan -- the country most allied with Iran's theocracy -- represents Iranian interests in the United States and is facing the ire of pro-democracy Iranian exiles and their supporters here in Washington DC.

Hundreds of demonstrators in Washington DC protested against the barbaric crackdown of the Iranian theocracy on democracy loving protesters Thursday evening at the Pakistan embassy on Wisconsin Avenue.

Iran and Pakistan have had secret strategic and military relationships not known to the rest of the world for many decades now.

A major binding factor is that Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari -- known worldwide as Mr. Ten Percent for his alleged corruption -- is a die-hard shia who draws his spiritual inspiration from Tehran.

A handbill ditributed on the occasion spelled out a list of 10 demands:

1- Ending the shooting of innocent people.

2. Ending the arrest of protesters.

3. Releasing all protesters from prisons and "safe" houses.

4. Allowing Amnesty International investigators to visit all detainees and injured protesters.

5. Releasing all jalied journalists and reporters.

6. Allowing free press to report without being controlled by state censorship.

7. Allow peaceful assembly of people.

8. Complete identification, arrest and prosecution of all the criminals who have killed or injured peaceful demonstrators.

9. Stop interfering with proper mourning and burial of murdered victims by government agents and police.

10. And finally, we call on the government of Russia, China and European Union countries to immediately cut all ties with the barbaric regime of Iran.

In the wake of the killing of two Punjabi officials in less than one week and the start of the convention of a major nationalist party in Quetta, rumors were rife globally Wednesday about an impending official announcement of the Baluch demand for liberation from Pakistan and military crackdown.

Pakistan's infamous Inter Services Intelligence had sought the help of Tehran to quell the Baluch movement, according to media reports in Baluchistan.

From the Pakistan Embassy, the peaceful protesters converged on the Dupont Circle where a candle light vigil was held for those killed in Iran.

Another protest is planned in front of the Pakistan Embassy at 2209 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington DC Northwest, on Saturday 11 a.m. The protesters plan to march to the Lincoln Memorial from there.

IRAN ELECTIONS & ETHNIC PERSECUTION

Meanwhile, in the aftermath of Iran's stolen elections, ethnic groups who have been at the receiving end of the Iranian theocracy for three decades now are fearing further aggravation of their plight.

Join Iran-origin Kurds, Baluch, Ahwazis, Azeris, Turkmen and others for a frank and informal discussions at a coffee meet-up organized by the American Friends of Baluchistan..

What: Iran elections and persecuted nationalities

Who: The informal meeting will be presided over by the honorable Waheed Baloch, former speaker of the Baluchistan assembly and president of the Baloch International League.

Others who will participate include Dr. Morteza Esfandiari, a Kurdish intellectual; Dr. Karim Abdian, executive director of the Ahwaz Human Rights Organization; Sharif Behruz, US Representative of Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran; Dr. M. Hosseinbor, a Baluch lawyer and professor; and Nabi Baluch, presiding council member of the American Friends of Baluchistan.

Where: Mayorga Coffee Factory8040 Georgia Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: 301.562.9090

[The Mayorga Coffee Factory on Georgia Avenue and 13th Street northwest is a couple of blocks, or 15 minutes walk, from the Silver Spring Metro on the Red Line. If you are driving from DC you have to go under the overpass and make a U-turn. Free valet parking].

When: Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 3.30 p.m.

RSVP: 301-957-0008.

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Pakistani (not verified)

at 22:34 on June 25th, 2009

Salam

"die-hard shia who draws his spiritual inspiration from <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Tehran" & from where u are getting your inspiration…. bias against Pakistan and iran is reflecting in each and every word of urs(might be unintentional) . I am no Supporter of Zardari but there are ways to represent a country which i think u are unaware. writings like this create rift b/w countries Sects and society so i request u to respect humanity.

Ahmar Mustikhan

at 07:03 on June 26th, 2009

Truth is bitter; Pakistan and Iran are two sides of the same terror coin.

Ahmad Chughtai (not verified)

at 08:06 on June 26th, 2009

>> "The Islamic Republic of Pakistan -- the country most allied with Iran's theocracy -- represents Iranian interests in the United States and is facing the ire of pro-democracy protesters.

Let's make it clear that Pakistan embassy in Washington D.C. does not serve interests of Iranian government, it serves interests of Iranian people. Since U.S. and Iran do not have formal diplomatic relations, therefore, Pakistan embassy through its "Iranian Interests Section" provides basic services to Iranian immigrants and non-immigrants like visa issuance, passport renewal, registration of births, etc. It does not lobby on behalf of Iranian government or signs or revokes any commercial or military pacts. Pakistan embassy is compensated by Iran for the services it provides. If not Pakistan then some other country will provide similar services because it is required by the U.N. for humanitarian purposes.

>> Regarding "the country most allied with Iran's theocracy" and "Iran and Pakistan have had secret strategic and military relationships not known to the rest of the world for many decades now."

It would be great if you could provide some facts to strengthen your argument. To my knowledge, the two countries have had tense relations ever since the 1979 revolution. For several reasons including but not limited to the facts listed below.

- Pakistan siding with Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the West in general during Iran-Iraq war.

- On several occasions in recent past, Iran has protested to Pakistan for unrest in its Sistan-Baluchestan region.

- On several occasions, Pakistan has protested to Iran for supporting Shia militant groups within Pakistan.

- Pakistan's inability to contain sectarian violence which resulted in killing of at least one Iranian diplomat - Sadiq Ganji

- The two countries fought a proxy war in Afghanistan after Taliban took over Kabul in 1996 and advanced towards Mazar. Six Iranian diplomats were killed in Kabul bringing relations between two countries (Pakisan and Iran) to an all time low. Even today the two countries have huge policy differences over Afghanistan.

- Tensions exists between two countries over Iran's building of fence/wall along the border.

Regards,

Ahmad Chughtai

Ahmar Mustikhan

at 08:44 on June 26th, 2009

Doesn't Zardari draw his spiritual inspiration from Tehran?

Hasn't Pakistan already supplied the nuclear know-how to Iran?

What was the secret pact oil-for-food scam Interior Minister Rahman Malik recently signed in Tehran?

The strategic ties between Islamabad and Tehran are undeniable, even if minor irritants may occur from time to time.

Ahmad Chughtai (not verified)

at 10:24 on June 26th, 2009

Sir,

I am not aware of any Oil-for-Food scam signed in Tehran. The only oil-for-food scam that comes to my memory is the one that involved Iraq and the United Nations. Rehman Malik was also accused of having some involvement in that. I am not aware of current status of those allegations. Even if some trade/commercial pacts (like gas pipeline agreement) are signed between the two countries does not mean they are two sides of the same coin. Over the last 21 years, Pakistan has been signing trade agreements with India even. Does that mean the two are like a duo?

As far as nuclear technology is concerned, Pakistan is accused of providing it not only to Iran but also to North Korea and Libya. Does that mean the state of Pakistan a theocratic match with any of those states too? Pakistan enjoys much deeper relations with Saudi Arabia who considers Iran its arch rival in the region. Having said that I guess one can easily figure out why would Pakistan bother providing nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia. FYI, Pakistan has not been alleged of directly supplying nuclear technology to Iran. It is claimed that the technology was sold via underground networks based in UAE, CIS and Russia.

Zardari drawing spiritual inspiration from Tehran? How? Is there any news, any incident, any fact? Or is it just that Zardari is Shiite and Iran has a government based on Shiite ideology? I have not known any Shiite people who would draw spiritual inspiration from Tehran. What I know is that Grand Ayatollah Sistani sits in Iraq, holiest places of Shiite sect are in Saudi Arabia and in Iraq, and no where do I find anyone claiming Zardari to be a devout Shiite in the first place.

Point is that the existence of deep relations between Pakistan and Iran, as portrayed in the media or in textbooks of two countries, is more of a myth limited to smiles and handshakes than actually having any solid foundation. Many times the smiles on faces of Zardari and Ahmedinejad while holding each others' hands hide several grave differences and conflicts running underneath. Had it not been the case, the two countries would have signed the gas pipeline agreement 15 years ago.

Regards,

Ahmad Chughtai