Pakistan Watches Closely as Iran’s Protests Spread, Fears Regional Spillover

Islamabad: Rising protests in Iran, which began on December 28, have now spread beyond Tehran, raising concerns in neighboring countries—most notably Pakistan. With over 900 kilometers of largely mountainous and lightly monitored border, Islamabad fears that prolonged unrest in Iran could spill over into its territory, impacting national security, the economy, and regional stability.

The Pakistani government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is reportedly monitoring the situation closely. A senior official told The Express Tribune, “While Pakistan considers the unrest in Iran an internal matter, we remain vigilant. Our government does not want chaos in the neighboring country.”

Regional Stability at Risk
According to Pakistani officials, if the protests in Tehran continue, instability could spread across the region, with Pakistan among the first countries to feel its effects. To mitigate risks, Islamabad has issued a travel advisory for Iran. Pakistani Ambassador Mudasir Tipu urged citizens traveling to or from Iran to strictly follow immigration rules, ensuring passports have valid visas or exit stamps.

Experts note that while historical protests in Iran over the past three decades have not led to regime change, the current wave involves armed demonstrators, posing a significant challenge. Long-term unrest could disrupt cross-border trade, strengthen smuggling networks, complicate border management in Balochistan, and increase pressure from refugees—creating new challenges for the Pakistani government.

Analysts also warn that potential interventions by the U.S. and Israel in Iran could further complicate Pakistan’s diplomatic balancing act, forcing Islamabad to carefully manage relationships with Iran, Gulf countries, China, and the United States.

Conclusion
For Pakistan, the priority remains maintaining stability in its neighbor Iran while preparing for any cross-border consequences of prolonged unrest. The government’s day-and-night monitoring reflects the seriousness with which Islamabad views the regional ripple effects of the protests.