Why Pakistan Cannot Play a Double Game
Here’s where Islamabad must be careful.
Pakistan has:
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A strategic defense framework with Saudi Arabia
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Deep economic and expatriate links with the UAE
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Painful historical lessons about ambiguous positioning
The Iraq–Kuwait Precedent
In 1990, regional actors tried to hedge—maintaining ties with both Iraq and Kuwait.
Those who delayed clarity paid economically, diplomatically, and reputationally.
Pakistan cannot:
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Endorse Saudi security concerns and
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Remain silent on actions Riyadh deems existential threats
But Pakistan also must not:
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Become a proxy
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Be dragged into Yemen militarily
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Reduce foreign policy to Gulf binaries
The correct posture is principled alignment without operational entanglement.
What Pakistan Should Do (and Not Do)
Your take?
— Zorays Khalid (@zorayskhalid) December 30, 2025
Do:
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Support Saudi Arabia’s right to defend its national security
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Advocate Yemen’s unity and political settlement
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Offer mediation, not muscle
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Keep diplomatic channels open with all Gulf partners
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Reaffirm that Pakistan’s defense agreements are defensive, not expeditionary
Do Not:
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Pick camps publicly in a way that forecloses diplomacy
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Participate in proxy conflicts
- Fear UAE’s US $ 3 Billion parked
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Allow Pakistani territory, manpower, or credibility to be used indirectly
Defence cooperation is not subcontracted warfare.
