Washington, January 8 – Despite Pakistan’s status as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) of the United States, it continues to be seen as an unreliable strategic partner. A report released on Thursday stated that Pakistan should not be considered a trustworthy ally but rather a highly problematic partner, urging a serious reconsideration of the privileges granted under its MNNA designation.
The New York-based Gatestone Institute’s report highlighted Pakistan’s leadership prioritizing Iran over the United States and even Israel, which explains Washington’s lack of trust in Islamabad, especially on sensitive issues like Gaza.
The report mentioned that Pakistan has yet to recognize Israel. Furthermore, Pakistan was the first country to recognize Iran after the establishment of the Islamic Republic by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1979. Notably, Iran was the first country to recognize Pakistan upon its creation in 1947. Bilateral trade between the two neighbouring countries currently stands at approximately 2.8 billion US dollars.
According to the report, Pakistan officially describes its ties with Iran as based on brotherhood and shared regional interests, with broad policy alignments between the two nations.
A significant example of this alignment is their mutual stance on Balochistan. Both Iran and Pakistan view Baloch political activities as a direct threat to their territorial integrity and state authority. In November 2024, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ then-commander Major General Hossein Salami met with Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir. During this meeting, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation against Baloch separatist movements.
The report further states that this alliance is strengthened by shared economic interests with China. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, is a core element of this cooperation, while Iran also seeks to participate in these initiatives.
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Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
