Pakistan's Mediation in West Asia: Anxiety, Not Smartness

• Pakistan's mediation efforts in the West Asian conflict stem from domestic political concerns and the threat of exacerbated sectarian fault lines within the country.
• The mutual defense pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, signed in late 2025, highlights Islamabad's scramble to diffuse tensions between Tehran and Riyadh.
• The 1979 Iranian Revolution and Pakistan's Islamisation under Zia Ul Haq fueled sectarian struggles, leading to the emergence of militant outfits like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan.
• The Zainabiyoun Brigade, formed by Iran's IRGC with Pakistani Shia members, initially fought in Syria but now operates in Pakistan, raising fears of imported proxy wars and sectarian violence.
• Pakistan banned the Zainabiyoun Brigade in 2024 due to its perceived role as an Iranian proxy and its involvement in sectarian violence, yet targeted killings persist.