Muslim Unity Or Self-Interest? Pakistan’s Border Closures Highlight Regional Hypocrisy | Exclusive

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Last Updated:June 17, 2025, 14:36 IST

According to top intelligence sources, Pakistan’s evacuation and border policies expose a calculated duality

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's double-speak on Iran stands exposed. (Reuters)

Pakistan has closed all major border crossings with Iran—Taftan, Gabd-Rimdan, Chedgi, Jirrak—indefinitely and halted pedestrian movement, trapping daily wage labourers, traders, and families, contradicting its stand to call for Muslim unity against Israel.

As Israel and Iran entered the fifth day of hostilities, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly vowed complete solidarity with Iran, condemning Israel’s strikes as violations of sovereignty. As he endorsed Iran’s right to self-defence under UN Charter Article 51, Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif pledged to safeguard Iran’s interests at every international forum.

However, the country’s behaviour so far has exposed its hypocrisy.

According to analysts and diplomats, the shunning of Iranians is partly because they are Shias whereas Pakistan is mostly Sunni and has been accused of backing groups that have violently targeted Shias in the past. Pakistan also does not want the fleeing Iranians to go to Balochistan.

Apart from this, officials told CNN-News18 that the volatile situation in Iran from Israeli strikes, fear of US sanctions and Saudi Arabia’s backlash are key reasons why Pakistan is on the back foot when it comes to providing military support to Iran.

According to top intelligence sources, Pakistan’s evacuation and border policies expose a calculated duality. “It shows rhetorical alignment with Iran for regional Islamic credibility, but operational neutrality to shield its economy and security. Sharif is exposed completely and a pattern of diplomatic double-speak is reflected that prioritises self-preservation over Muslim solidarity."

Pakistan’s hypocrisy also flies in the face of senior Iranian IRGC General Mohsen Rezaei claiming that Pakistan assured Tehran it would retaliate with nuclear strikes if Israel used nuclear weapons first. Pakistan’s finance minister Ishaq Dar dismissed the claim as “fabricated and irresponsible" and said Pakistan’s nukes are solely for self-defence.

Defence minister Asif later warned about Israel’s unchecked nuclear prowess but avoided endorsing Iran. Groups like Sipah-e-Sahaba have long framed Iran as a Shia threat and Pakistan’s support indirectly appeases these factions.

Predominantly Sunni Pakistan shares a more than 900-kilometre (560-mile) border with Shiite-majority Iran.

The relationship between the two neighbours has been complex, with Pakistan often wary of US-led sanctions on Tehran and also mindful of its ties with Riyadh, which has repeatedly helped rescue its economy by rolling over overdue debts.

Bilateral trade between the two countries stands at around $3 billion and officials have vowed to boost it to $10 billion in the coming years.

(With AFP inputs)