Washington is grappling with a harsh reality about one of its strategic partners. Despite granting Pakistan Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status, the United States continues to view Islamabad as profoundly unreliable. A recent analysis urges a complete reevaluation of the privileges bestowed upon Pakistan, labeling it not as a trusted partner but as a highly problematic one.
The report from the New York-based Gatestone Institute highlights Pakistan’s leadership prioritizing Iran over both the US and Israel, especially on sensitive issues like Gaza. This tilt underscores why Washington cannot place faith in Islamabad during critical geopolitical moments.
Pakistan has never recognized Israel since its inception. Notably, after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s 1979 revolution established the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pakistan became the first country to extend formal recognition. The historic bond dates back further: Iran was the first nation to acknowledge Pakistan in 1947. Today, bilateral trade between the neighbors stands at nearly $2.8 billion.
Islamabad officially describes its ties with Tehran as fraternal, rooted in shared regional interests and policy alignments. A stark example is their unified stance on Balochistan. Both nations perceive Baloch political activism as a direct threat to territorial integrity and state authority.
In November 2024, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Major General Hossein Salami met with Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir. The discussions focused on intensifying cooperation against Baloch independence movements. This alliance gains further strength through common economic pursuits with China. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, exemplifies this, with Iran expressing keen interest in joining.
Such developments paint a picture of Pakistan’s divided loyalties, complicating its role as a US ally. As tensions simmer in the Middle East and South Asia, the report calls for the US to recalibrate its approach, stripping away unearned privileges and fostering partnerships with truly dependable actors. The era of overlooking Pakistan’s duplicity must end for American interests to prevail.