“Historically speaking, during the era of General Zia ul Haq, Pakistan provided support to the Taliban* and fostered sectarianism, a trend that mirrored Iran’s policies under Khomeini’s government. While Iran sought alignment with India, it also adopted a lenient stance towards Baloch separatist groups. Additionally, Iran has been known to recruit Pakistani Shiites for deployment in Syria, further complicating the regional dynamics,” Dr. Mohammad Zahid, associated with the think tank ‘Rasanah: International Institute for Iranian Studies’ and a UK-based geopolitical expert, told Sputnik India.
“The 1979 Iranian Revolution, along with Pakistan’s support for the US-backed Shah, heightened distrust between the two nations. Pakistan’s connections with Iran are significantly impacted by its relations with the US and other Western nations. When it comes to economic and military support, especially in counterterrorism and maintaining regional security, Islamabad has frequently sided with Washington,” Aimen Jamil, a pundit of Iranian affairs, told Sputnik India.
“Regional shifts, such as the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, present new opportunities… As Pakistan will soon join BRICS, regional organizations like the SCO and BRICS further open doors for cooperation,” she stated.