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ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan is confident it can weather the growing storm in the Middle East as tensions over Iran threaten to redraw regional fault lines, senior officials said, insisting that Islamabad’s top priority remains the protection of its core national interests.
Officials familiar with the discussions told The Express Pakinomist on Wednesday that Pakistan has been closely monitoring developments amid fears of a wider conflagration involving Iran and the Gulf states.
“The situation is fluid, but we’ve done well so far,” said a senior official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. “Our focus is to protect Pakistan’s economic and security interests while avoiding entanglement in any bloc politics.”
Pakistan has unequivocally condemned the attack on Iran, describing it as a violation of sovereignty and international law. At the same time, Islamabad has also condemned Iranian retaliation targeting Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, with which Pakistan has a long-standing security partnership.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar recently told the Senate that Pakistan had reminded Tehran of its mutual defense agreement with Riyadh. Although it is diplomatic language, officials described the move as a subtle but clear message to Iran to avoid escalating tensions with Saudi Arabia.
“We conveyed our position in a responsible manner,” said a source familiar with the diplomatic exchanges. “Pakistan has a defense pact with Saudi Arabia. It was important to remind the Iranian side of that understanding so there are no miscalculations.”
However, the officials were quick to stress that Islamabad is not seeking to antagonize Iran. In a symbolic gesture that reflects the delicate balance Pakistan is trying to maintain, Dar visited the Iranian embassy on Wednesday to condole the death of Iran’s supreme leader. The visit was seen as an attempt to underline Pakistan’s desire for stable and cordial ties with its western neighbor despite growing regional turbulence.
“Pakistan has maintained contacts with all relevant players,” another senior official said. “We engage quietly and constructively. The goal is de-escalation, not point-scoring.”
Officials said the government was actively evaluating several scenarios, including the possibility of a protracted conflict, regime instability in Iran or further spillover into the Gulf. While acknowledging that the situation remains unpredictable, they expressed cautious optimism that the crisis would not develop into a protracted war.
“There is concern, yes, but there is also confidence,” noted one official. “Pakistan is not a party to the conflict. Some of the fears being spread that Pakistan could be next are unfounded.”
Security agencies have been tasked with evaluating potential repercussions, including sectarian tensions, cross-border security risks and the impact on Pakistani nationals working in the Gulf, according to sources.
“We have plans in place to deal with any eventuality, including possible changes in the Iranian political setup,” the source added.
However, the most immediate concern for Islamabad is economic rather than military. Officials said the disruption of oil and gas supplies due to instability in the Gulf, especially if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed or partially blocked, poses a significant risk to Pakistan’s already fragile economy.
“The energy dimension is the biggest concern at this stage,” another official said. “Any prolonged disruption in oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz will have direct consequences for us.”
Anticipating such a scenario, Pakistan has already reached out to Saudi Arabia to explore alternative arrangements for oil shipments.
“We are engaging Saudi authorities to explore alternatives so that our energy security is not compromised,” the official said.
Pakistan’s balancing act reflects its complex geopolitical position, sharing a border with Iran while maintaining deep strategic and economic ties with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.
Over the years, Islamabad has sought to avoid being drawn into regional rivalries, even offering mediation during previous bouts of Saudi-Iranian tensions.
Diplomatic sources said the approach remains unchanged. “Our message to all sides is simple: de-escalate, exercise restraint and avoid steps that could destabilize the wider region,” one official said.
