Pakistan urged to adopt active neutrality in US-Iran war to shield economy from regional spillover

The US-Iran war is already entering Pakistani homes through electricity bills, bus fares, and vegetable prices. An analysis published by Asia Times argues that Pakistan’s only viable option is to maintain active neutrality in the conflict to avoid further economic destabilization and internal sectarian strife.

Wars in the Middle East rarely stay confined to the countries that start them. The consequences for Pakistan travel through oil pipelines, shipping lanes, financial markets, and refugee routes. Rising energy costs are hitting households and businesses alike, while sectarian tensions threaten to boil over.

Active neutrality, the article contends, would allow Pakistan to manage ties with both the United States and Iran while protecting its own national interests. The strategy is not passive; it requires careful diplomatic balancing and proactive economic measures.

For ordinary Pakistanis, the war is not a distant headline but a daily reality. The government faces mounting pressure to insulate the economy from the conflict’s ripple effects, even as global powers vie for influence.

Article and image source: asiatimes.com