Islamabad: A CNN report analyses at length the stakes Pakistan has in the early resolution of the ongoing conflict between Iran on one side and the combined US-IDF offensive on the other side. A joint credit lined story for the CNN by Ivan Watson and Elex Michaelson discusses at length the underlying mechanics.
Elaborating the issue, Elex argued that the issues at hand were not just the fuel availability issues, the problem, which is faced by many countries in the region, it is much more than that. Pakistan is and has been strategically positioned as it shares a border with Iran and has been maintaining cordial relationship with the country, even after the 1979 revolution. There have been tense moments between the world, the Middle Eastern monarchies, however, Pakistan has been the conduit for messaging not just now, but it was the protocol during much of the last four decades. it is pertinent to note that, Pakistan was able to talk to the Iranian leadership, as and when required, the analyst pointed out.
Talking about Pakistan defence pact with Saudi Arabia, he argued that so far the Saudi forces have not retaliated to what can be termed the offensive actions of the Iranian military, the big question mark of Pakistani participation on part of Saudi Arabia has still not been raised anytime till now. If any break point emerges, Pakistan will be constrained to show some action to prove its credibility, he argued.
It is pertinent to note that Pakistan plagued with its economic slump is increasingly dependent upon Saudi Arabian fiscal and budgetary support. The defence pact could have been avoided, but given the economic dire straits, Pakistan is proverbially stuck up in a situation, where it has to tread its path very carefully. One of the interests it has in early resolution stem from avoiding that ugly situation of balancing between two dear Muslim states.
