Pakistan Voices Deep Concern Over Iran’s Stability, Citing Security Risks

Islamabad: Pakistan is increasingly concerned about stability in neighbouring Iran, viewing any potential upheaval there as a direct threat to its own security.

According to Pakistan’s Tribune, when former US President Donald Trump met Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in June last year, Iran was already facing a fragile internal situation. At the time, there were widespread reports that the United States and Israel might intensify pressure to bring about a regime change in Tehran.

However, within days of the Trump–Munir meeting, Iran carried out what was described as a symbolic retaliatory strike on a US military base in Qatar. Despite this escalation, Washington refrained from launching a major offensive. Even after a 12-day Iran–Israel confrontation, the Iranian government remained firmly in place. Sources cited by the Tribune claim that Asim Munir advised Trump against attempting to destabilise or overthrow the Iranian government—counsel that may have contributed to the US decision to avoid a wider military confrontation with Iran.

Why Iran Matters to Pakistan

Pakistan’s opposition to any regime change in Iran stems from concerns that instability across its western border would have immediate and serious repercussions. The two countries share a nearly 900-kilometre border, much of it running through Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province.

Former Pakistani ambassador Asif Durrani noted that any internal collapse or externally induced change in Iran would directly affect Pakistan. “Pakistan has previously played a role in reducing tensions between Iran and Western countries. Any turmoil in Iran—whether internal or external—will have consequences for Pakistan,” he said.

Balochistan, which straddles the Iran–Pakistan border, has deep ethnic, tribal, and linguistic ties with Iran’s Baloch regions. Analysts warn that instability in Iran could lead to a surge in militancy, increased arms trafficking, and a fresh influx of refugees into Pakistan.

Balochistan Under Threat

Pakistani security experts caution that a crisis in Iran could seriously undermine counterterrorism operations in Balochistan, where separatist insurgent groups remain active in large areas. From Islamabad’s perspective, Iran’s stability is therefore not merely a regional concern but a matter closely linked to Pakistan’s national security, border management, and internal stability.

Pakistan continues to monitor developments in Iran with heightened vigilance at both diplomatic and security levels. Experts stress that closer Iran–Pakistan cooperation—particularly in border surveillance and joint security mechanisms—will be essential in the future to manage potential spillover risks and maintain stability in sensitive border regions.