India Today | Pradip R. Sagar
Pakistan's reported deployment of a large military contingent, including F-16 and JF-17 Thunder aircraft and elements of the 25 Mechanized Division, in Saudi Arabia has raised concerns over Islamabad's strategic posture amidst West Asia tensions and geopolitical uncertainty surrounding Iran. Regional observers view this as a significant commitment, with the F-16s likely bearing the heavier operational burden while JF-17s perform defensive roles due to China's engagement with Iran.
This places Pakistan in a delicate diplomatic position, risking entanglement in the Yemen conflict, particularly along the Saudi-Yemen border against Houthi attacks. The deployment also strains Pakistan's domestic defenses, creating a security void on its eastern front with India, especially after the May 2025 conflict and Operation Sindoor. Experts caution that India's transformed policy means Pakistan cannot afford even a limited conflict, urging Islamabad to reign in terror proxies. The timing coincides with speculation over military action against Iran, risking Pakistan being perceived as facilitating Iran's encirclement, straining Pakistan-Iran relations, and exacerbating Pakistan's fragile economy and internal security challenges.
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