Riyadh/Islamabad: Saudi Arabia is reportedly urging Pakistan to take a more active role against Iran amid escalating tensions in West Asia, citing a 2025 defence pact between the two nations.
According to reports, Riyadh sees Pakistan’s large and experienced military as a key strategic asset. The agreement is believed to include security cooperation that could extend to nuclear deterrence support, potentially strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position against Iran and reducing reliance on external allies like the United States.
Why Saudi Arabia Is Looking to Pakistan
Saudi Arabia’s interest in Pakistan is linked to its military strength and past challenges in sustaining prolonged ground operations, particularly in regional conflicts. Analysts suggest Pakistan could:
- Help secure critical routes like the Strait of Hormuz
- Provide air defence or logistical support
- Potentially open a second front along Iran’s eastern border
Such a move would allow Saudi forces to avoid heavy ground casualties while increasing pressure on Iran.
Major Risks for Pakistan
However, joining any conflict against Iran poses serious challenges for Pakistan:
- Domestic instability: Iran is a Shia-majority country, and Pakistan has one of the world’s largest Shia populations (30–50 million). Any conflict could trigger sectarian tensions داخली स्तर पर।
- Economic pressure: Rising oil prices, reduced remittances from Gulf countries, and an already fragile economy could worsen Pakistan’s financial situation.
- Security concerns: Pakistan shares a nearly 900-km border with Iran, increasing the risk of direct retaliation.
Additionally, Pakistan is already managing tensions with India, instability in Afghanistan, and internal insurgencies, which could make a new conflict difficult to sustain.
Pakistan’s Likely Stance
Sources indicate that Pakistan is unlikely to engage in a full-scale war or send troops into Iran. Instead, it may limit its role to indirect support, if any, while maintaining a balanced position.
So far, Islamabad has officially maintained neutrality in the broader US–Israel–Iran conflict, calling for restraint, dialogue, and regional stability.
Rising Regional Complexity
The situation highlights the growing complexity of alliances in West Asia, where geopolitical interests, sectarian dynamics, and economic risks are deeply intertwined. Any shift in Pakistan’s stance could significantly widen the conflict and impact regional as well as global stability.