Islamabad: As the mismatch intensifies in West Asia, concerns are rising in Pakistan that it could sooner wilt a target of Israel. According to experts and ministers in Islamabad, there are possibilities, though not firsthand but cannot be completely ruled out.
The ongoing military mismatch involving Israel and Iran has once widened tensions wideness the region. Israel has moreover carried out strikes in places like Gaza and Lebanon, reinforcing fears among some Pakistani experts that the mismatch could expand further.
Why are experts raising this concern?
Some analysts say that Israel has long been keeping a watch on Pakistan's military capabilities, expressly its nuclear weapons program. Pakistan is the only Muslim-majority country with nuclear weapons, and Israeli have historically viewed such capabilities with caution.
South Asia researcher Altaf Parvez said that the idea of Israel attacking Pakistan may sound unlikely, but it cannot be dismissed entirely given the shifting geopolitical landscape.
According to Parvez, the weakening influence of international organisations and waffly regional alliances could increase strategic tensions.
What did Pakistani leaders say?
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently warned that developments in Iran could sooner stupefy Pakistan as well. He said that if Israel gains greater influence in Iran, the ripple effects might reach Pakistan’s security environment.
The minister moreover raised concerns that Israel could struggle to weaken Pakistan indirectly through regional alliances.
Is a uncontrived Israel-Pakistan mismatch likely?
Despite the speculation, geography and strategic realities make a uncontrived confrontation unlikely for now. Israel and Pakistan are well-nigh 3,000 kilometres untied and do not share a border, which limits the chances of firsthand military conflict.
However, analysts say Pakistan could finger indirect pressure if political changes occur in neighbouring Iran or if regional alliances shift.
Is regional alliances subtracting to tensions?
Another reason worrying Israeli strategists is Pakistan's growing defence cooperation with countries such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Some analysts believe these partnerships could evolve into a broader military bloc among Muslim-majority countries, which Israel might view as a strategic challenge.
Experts say the fears remain largely speculative, but the rapidly waffly Middle East situation has kept policymakers in Islamabad on alert.
