Jeddah: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in Jeddah as the Iran war intensifies, with the U.S. and Israel ramping up their military efforts against Iran. Meanwhile, Tehran has targeted U.S. bases and various locations in Saudi Arabia and neighboring Gulf countries. "The Prime Minister expressed Pakistan's full solidarity and support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in these challenging times," stated Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesman for PM Sharif, on social media platform X, emphasizing the leaders' commitment to working towards regional peace and stability.

According to Deutsche Welle, Pakistan has maintained a stance of neutrality since the onset of the Iran war on February 28. Islamabad's diplomatic relations with both Arab nations and Iran have positioned it as a neutral party, but this balancing act may be tested if the conflict persists. The Pakistani leadership, including General Asim Munir, has developed ties with U.S. President Donald Trump and engaged with Trump's Board of Peace, a controversial initiative aimed at stabilizing the Middle East.

Analyst Fatemeh Aman highlighted Pakistan's cautious approach, noting the economic and political ramifications of entering a war. "Pakistan can maintain working ties with Washington while still refusing to join a military campaign," she explained. Pakistan's strategy seems to be signaling diplomatic support without direct involvement, aiming to prevent regional destabilization and secure its domestic environment.

Sharif's spokesman, Zaidi, emphasized Pakistan's push for de-escalation, stating, "Pakistan does not support attacks by Iran on Gulf countries or the (US-Israeli) bombing campaign in Iran." Despite expressing sympathy towards Iran's sovereignty, Aman suggests Pakistan remains non-belligerent in practice, avoiding becoming a party to the conflict.

If Saudi Arabia engages more directly in the war, Pakistan's position may become more precarious. Zaidi indicated Pakistan's readiness to assist Saudi Arabia if needed, but Aman pointed out the challenges Islamabad faces in maintaining its balancing strategy amidst its defense pact with Saudi Arabia.

Additional potential scenarios include the Iran war's spillover into Pakistan, through militant activity or cross-border strikes, and the intensification of internal sectarian tensions.

Maleeha Lodhi, an international affairs expert, noted Pakistan's alignment with Iran, condemning U.S.-Israeli actions without directly naming the U.S. Despite strong public sentiment in favor of Iran, Pakistan's ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and defense agreements with Saudi Arabia necessitate condemnation of attacks on Gulf states.

While Donald Trump might not expect Pakistan to join the conflict directly, Aman noted that the U.S. likely expects Islamabad to prevent anti-U.S. activities and maintain security cooperation. Should the conflict expand, especially with direct attacks on Saudi Arabia, pressure on Pakistan to support Riyadh could escalate, challenging its non-belligerence stance.