The economic condition of Pakistan is very bad. The prices of shroud and burial have skyrocketed in the country. We are not saying this. In the past, such news had filtered out from Pakistan itself. The prices of petrol and diesel are sky high in Pakistan. Because of which the sting of inflation is continuously haunting the neighboring country. On the other hand, the war between America and Iran is proving to be no less than a curse. Due to which there is a continuous increase in the prices of crude oil. Amidst all this, Pakistan has got a big opportunity or rather jackpot. Due to which Pakistan’s petroleum problem can be solved for a long time. Besides, inflation and other problems may also reduce in the country.
In fact, many Arab countries are looking towards Islamabad as a military partner. Saudi Arabia has already signed a mutual defense agreement with Pakistan. Kuwait is now considering a big agreement. According to Reuters report, Bahrain and Jordan are also showing interest in increasing defense cooperation. For Pakistan, this appears to offer the possibility of long-term oil supplies, new investments and a greater geopolitical role. But every benefit also has a price. The more Islamabad becomes involved in the security arrangements of the Gulf, the more difficult it will be for Iran to avoid being considered a part of the opposition camp.
Why are Gulf countries looking towards Pakistan?
The current interest in Pakistan is not difficult to understand. The monarchical countries of the Gulf are facing an increasingly unstable security environment. Iran’s missile attacks, attacks by Iran-backed groups and the fear of wider regional war have forced Gulf governments to rethink their defense options. Pakistan offers a unique combination of advantages. He has one of the largest armies in the Muslim world. It has war experience, a large standing army, domestic defense production capacity and an air force equipped with modern fighter aircraft. Also, despite being a Muslim country, it has good working relations with America.
This makes Pakistan an attractive security partner for countries looking for an alternative or complement to traditional US security. Saudi Arabia took the initiative last year by signing a mutual defense agreement with Islamabad. Now Kuwait is also showing interest in a similar arrangement and according to reports, wants Pakistani soldiers, fighter aircraft, drones, air defense systems and other military equipment. The talks are still in the early stages, but it shows that Gulf countries increasingly want security guarantees that are not completely dependent on the US.
economic support for pakistan
The benefits of such agreements are clear for Pakistan. The country is grappling with external funding pressures, foreign exchange shortages and long-standing energy insecurity. Oil import is one of the biggest burden on its balance of payments. Every increase in global energy prices creates new pressure on Islamabad.
Defense cooperation could be a possible solution. The Gulf countries have exactly what Pakistan lacks – oil, capital and sovereign wealth funds looking for strategic investments. Reports of talks with Kuwait show that Islamabad is interested in energy cooperation, fuel storage arrangements and long-term supply arrangements. Such arrangements could help Pakistan build large strategic reserves and reduce the risk of supply disruptions.
Saudi Arabia has provided financial assistance to Pakistan several times in the last few years. A deeper security partnership could spur additional investment in infrastructure, energy projects, mining enterprises and industrial development. If Bahrain, Kuwait and other Gulf countries follow the Saudi model, Pakistan can convert its military capabilities into economic strength. In fact, Islamabad is trying to get energy security and investment flows in exchange for security guarantees. .
arbitration problem
The problem is that Pakistan is also trying to play another role at the same time. Islamabad has tried to present itself as a mediator between America and Iran. It has used its diplomatic might to maintain lines of dialogue and portray itself as a bridge between rival regional powers. The expansion of defense agreements with Gulf countries could complicate that strategy. Training agreement is one thing, but agreement related to soldiers, fighter planes and air defense systems is a completely different thing. From Tehran’s perspective, there may be little difference between a defensive deployment and joining an anti-Iran coalition.
The challenge increases when it is said that attacks on Saudi Arabia will be considered attacks on Pakistan. Such statements increase security confidence for the Gulf allies, but at the same time there is a danger of weakening Islamabad’s image as an impartial arbiter. No country can play the role of both mediator and military guarantor forever. At some point, regional powers start looking at it from a different perspective.
Iran’s eyes may be crooked
Pakistan’s policy makers can argue that these agreements have been made for the purpose of security. But Iran may not see them from this perspective. Most of the Gulf countries that are strengthening defense ties with Islamabad are Sunni Arab monarchies that consider Iran the biggest threat to their security. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait are all concerned about Iran’s growing influence and regional ambitions. If Pakistan’s soldiers, fighter planes and air defense systems become part of the security system of these countries, then it will be difficult for Tehran to consider this arrangement as impartial.
This is also important because Pakistan shares a long border with Iran. Unlike Saudi Arabia or Kuwait, Iran is not a distant geopolitical issue for Islamabad. It is a neighboring country with which Pakistan has to handle matters like trade, border security and regional stability. In 2024, Iran fired missiles and drones into Pakistan’s Balochistan province, targeting the Sunni extremist group ‘Jaish-al-Adl’. In response, Pakistan carried out attacks inside Iran and claimed that it had targeted the hideouts of terrorists.
However, this conflict was resolved immediately. If Iran’s current government survives this conflict and remains in power despite being weakened, it may remember which countries came closer to its rivals during the crisis. For many years to come, Pakistan may have to face an Iran that is more suspicious of it and less cooperative.
Is Pakistan in a position to take up these responsibilities?
Another question is whether Pakistan has the ability to fulfill all the expectations that are being placed on it. The list of needs stated by Kuwait includes thousands of soldiers, fighter planes, drones and air defense systems. Similar demands from many Gulf countries may put pressure on Pakistan’s military resources.
Pakistan is facing serious security challenges within its country. Its western border remains unstable. The incidents on the border with Afghanistan are increasing rapidly. Due to Baloch insurgency, the army’s attention and resources have to be continuously diverted towards that direction. Anti-terrorism operations also remain increasingly important. And then there is the issue of India.
The eastern border remains the main military concern of Pakistan. Whatever happens in the Gulf countries, Islamabad cannot reduce its military deployment too much in front of India. Any major decision to send troops or strategic resources abroad will have to keep these realities in mind. This determines how much help Pakistan can actually provide, no matter how attractive the economic benefits may be.
Long history of dependence on Pakistani army
The current interest in Pakistan is nothing new. Since its creation in 1947, many Arab countries have repeatedly turned to Pakistan for military assistance, training and expertise. Saudi Arabia is the oldest example of this. Since the 1960s, Pakistani officers, pilots and trainers have helped enhance Saudi military capabilities. Formal defense cooperation grew over the decades and eventually led to the deployment of large numbers of Pakistani troops in Saudi Arabia.
Jordan also took help of Pakistani military expertise. During the 1967 Arab–Israeli War, Pakistani pilots took part in Arab military operations, while Pakistani officers later served as advisors to the Jordanian military. During the ‘Black September’ crisis of the 1970s, the Pakistani Army, under the leadership of Zia-ul-Haq (who later became Pakistan’s army chief and then dictator), played a key role in supporting Jordanian government forces against Palestinian militants and killed thousands of militants.
Before and after the formation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Pakistani officers and pilots helped develop local military institutions. Oman sought help from Pakistan to modernize its military and deal with insurgent threats. Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain all benefited at different times from Pakistani trainers, advisers and security personnel. Even Egypt and Syria received help from Pakistani pilots and military professionals during their confrontation with Israel.
The rich Arab countries had financial resources, but lacked experienced military manpower. Pakistan had a large military infrastructure and was ready to provide expertise as well as fighters. The result has been a defense relationship that has spanned decades and is now entering a new phase.
strategic challenge ahead
Pakistan’s military importance has suddenly increased in this area which is looking for security. The Gulf crisis is giving Islamabad an opportunity to gain investment, energy and greater diplomatic influence. Very few countries are in such a good position to take advantage of the changing situation in the region.
But the opportunities arising from conflict are rarely without risk. Every new defense agreement expands Pakistan’s economic options but also limits its diplomatic scope. The more it becomes involved in the security arrangements of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other Gulf countries, the more difficult it will become to maintain balanced relations with Iran.
Islamabad has maintained a careful balance between Riyadh and Tehran for decades. The emerging security situation in the Gulf may force it to decide how long this balance can be maintained. Pakistan can get oil, investment and strategic importance from this crisis. The question is, will these benefits outweigh the cost of making a neighbor a long-term enemy?
