Pakistan’s initiative is a masterpiece of balance-of-power politics in the 21st century.
Author: Mohibullah Noori, former Head of Policy at the National Security Council of Afghanistan, member of the Advisory Council of “Sangar”.
As the Middle East is engulfed in unprecedented tensions, Pakistan, through a sophisticated diplomatic approach, has established itself as a “middle ground” and an indispensable channel of global diplomacy. However, the key question remains: how has Pakistan managed to navigate between opposing blocs while maintaining a defense pact with Saudi Arabia and simultaneously witnessing a direct confrontation between Iran and the United States?
On April 15–16, 2026, this remarkable balance reached its peak. While Shahbaz Sharif was in Jeddah securing $3 billion in financial assistance and reinforcing the defense agreement, Field Marshal Asim Munir was engaged in sensitive security talks in Tehran.
The secret of this balance lies in three strategic layers:
Defense partnership with Saudi Arabia — deterrence, not war participation:
By signing an agreement with Riyadh, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Saudi territorial integrity while drawing a clear line between defense and aggression against Iran. Islamabad made it clear that its support is deterrent in nature, not offensive. Therefore, despite Iranian strikes on U.S. bases in Saudi territory, Pakistan refrained from entering the conflict and instead assumed the role of a “firefighter.”
Iran — a neighbor that must not become an enemy:
Pakistan understands that instability along its western border would be devastating for its fragile economy. Recent cooperation with Iran in naval training and border management sends a clear message to Tehran: Islamabad will not allow its alliance with Riyadh to become an existential threat to Iran. This practical trust enabled Asim Munir to travel to Tehran at the height of tensions and deliver messages no civilian diplomat could convey.
The United States — partnership in the shadow of crisis:
Despite the confrontation between Iran and the U.S., Pakistan remains a security partner of Washington. By becoming a crucial communication channel, Islamabad has demonstrated that a mediating Pakistan is far more valuable than one entangled in war.
Why is mediation the only path to survival?
Positioned between Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the United States, Pakistan has realized that taking a definitive side amounts to national suicide. Supporting Riyadh against Tehran would destabilize its borders, while opposing Washington would lead to economic collapse. Therefore, mediation is not a luxury but a “shield” that protects the country from becoming a battlefield for proxy wars.
What we are witnessing today is not merely balance but the transformation of geopolitical necessity into diplomatic capital. Pakistan has proven that in a multipolar world, power lies in being close to all while submitting to none. This approach is gradually becoming the cornerstone of its long-term foreign policy.
