A senior security official, on Monday, denied the speculation that Pakistan might be the next target of US-Israeli military action following Iran, stating that such beliefs are “devoid of facts” and propagated by “agents of chaos”.
The official emphasised that Pakistan is distinct from Iran, being fully integrated into the global community and entirely capable of self-defense.
He stated that those disseminating “alarmist narratives” are driven by “nefarious and vested interests.”
These comments were made in the context of an intensifying conflict in the Middle East, where Israel and the United States have, for the second time in eight months, executed coordinated strikes against Iran.
In response, Tehran has targeted Israeli territory and American military installations in neighboring countries, heightening concerns of a broader regional conflict.
No chance of US Israeli strikes on Pakistan
In the wake of the US-Israeli airstrikes, there has been speculation and apprehension regarding the possibility of similar aggression towards Pakistan.
Some analyses from Western think tanks have also suggested potential spillover effects on nuclear-armed states in the region.
However, the security official dismissed any such comparisons. “The misperception that Pakistan is likely to be the next target is devoid of facts and is fundamentally misguided,” he stated.
Pakistan fosters diplomacy with the US
“Pakistan cannot be equated with Iran, as the two nations differ significantly in military capabilities, foreign policy, external engagement, and internal dynamics,” he continued.
In contrast to Iran’s adversarial stance towards the West, Pakistan fosters defense cooperation with Saudi Arabia, engages economically with the United States, and maintains a working relationship with Iran, with which it shares a long border and limited trade connections.
Officials said that this multi-vector diplomacy aims to ensure economic stability, including energy security, while shielding the country from regional disturbances.
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