Pakistan is facing panic as Iran experiences ongoing protests and the potential for a regime change threatened by US President Donald Trump. Emergency meetings involving top officials like army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and the ISI chief are being held due to the implications of a possible US-Iran confrontation on the Pakistan-Iran border.
Officials in Pakistan are concerned about the volatile situation at the borders, especially with tensions already high with the Taliban. The country is stretched thin with ongoing conflicts on multiple fronts, including against groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Nationalist Army (BLA).
The situation is further complicated by issues in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), leading to the involvement of terror groups like the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) and Lashkar-e-Tayba in the region. Pakistan initially underestimated the seriousness of the US threats towards Iran but is now realizing the potential for a conflict and the demands the US may make.
In the event of a conflict, the US could request military bases and airspace from Pakistan for operations against Iran. This prospect has put Pakistan in a difficult position, as offering such support could strain regional relations and provoke internal unrest among the populace. Pakistan is currently on high alert and engaging in diplomatic efforts with countries like Saudi Arabia and Turkey to address these concerns.
