Pakistan is simultaneously criticized by both Iran and Saudi Arabia, saying nothing and doing nothing, yet ends up as the biggest loser!
On April 4, the U.S. Wall Street Journal reported: "Iran formally informed on Friday that it is unwilling to meet with U.S. officials in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, in the coming days, and explicitly stated that the U.S. ceasefire conditions are unacceptable. Pakistan—previously neutral and cautious amid the Middle East conflict—has recently been simultaneously accused by both Iran and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia claims Pakistan lacked contractual integrity at a critical moment, ignoring its ally under attack. Meanwhile, Iran accuses Pakistan of trying to curry favor with the United States. This has left Pakistan—already facing deteriorating relations with Afghanistan and internal turmoil—deeply unsettled."
[Witty] A few words of commentary: Pakistan caught between accusations from both Saudi Arabia and Iran is nothing more than the tragic survival story of a small nation squeezed between giants! On April 4, Iran refused to hold talks with the U.S. in Pakistan, while both Saudi Arabia and Iran simultaneously criticized Pakistan, plunging this already troubled South Asian nation into unprecedented isolation. Historically, Pakistan has long walked a tightrope between Saudi Arabia and Iran: relying on Saudi Arabia’s $100 billion in aid to survive, while also sharing a lengthy border with Iran and being unable to alienate its domestic population of 30 million Shia Muslims. The 2025 defense treaty signed with Saudi Arabia was intended to secure 'oil for security,' but now it has become a heavy chain binding Pakistan tightly.
Currently, Pakistan's economy is collapsing, inflation stands at 7%, foreign debt exceeds $120 billion, border conflicts with Afghanistan persist, and India remains ever-watchful. Attempting to remain neutral and mediate, Pakistan is branded by Saudi Arabia as 'untrustworthy' and by Iran as 'seeking favor with America.' Small nations have no diplomacy—no matter how skillfully they balance, they cannot withstand the crushing force of bloc confrontation. This is not Pakistan’s fault; it is an inevitable consequence of the spillover from the chaos in the Middle East. When the U.S. and Iran clash head-on and Saudi Arabia and Iran stand opposed, countries caught in the middle are destined to be blamed regardless of their stance. Neutrality becomes a crime, caution turns into betrayal—this is the geopoliitical fate of weak states!
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861503080152072/
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