Islamabad: Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir reportedly raised concerns that separatist and jihadist militants on the Pakistan-Iran border could take advantage of any collapse of authority in Iran during his recent lunch meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House.
Trump hosted Munir at the White House on Wednesday. It was the first time that a US president had hosted the head of Pakistan’s army. Pakistan’s military said in a statement that the two discussed trade, economic development, and cryptocurrency during the two-hour meeting. They also exchanged views on tensions between Israel and Iran.
A border at risk
Stretching over 560 miles, the Pakistan–Iran frontier is mostly remote, dotted with dusty villages and winding desert roads. But for all its desolation, this region is a tinderbox of geopolitical vulnerability—home to ethnic Baluch communities split between two nations, and long a hotspot for both separatist and jihadi militants. Munir’s message was blunt: should Iran’s government destabilize—possibly toppled by Israeli strikes on its nuclear installations—an ungoverned vacuum would likely emerge, one quickly to be filled by militant networks.
Militants on the watch
Among those watching most closely is Jaish al‑Adl, a jihadist group representing Sunni and ethnic Baluch minorities in Iran but based in Pakistan. In public statements, they have called the Israel–Iran conflict “a great opportunity” and urged local fighters to use the chaos to their advantage.
At the same time, Pakistani officials fear similar violence within Balochistan may spill back into their territory—driven by Baluch insurgents opposed to Islamabad’s rule. Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani ambassador to Washington, warned there could be “ungoverned spaces, which would be fertile ground for terrorist groups”.
What threat holds for China?
The regional fallout isn’t limited to security. China, heavily invested in Balochistan—particularly the Gwadar port under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor—has voiced concerns that rising instability could jeopardize its fortunes.
Where does India stands?
It seems amid the Iran-Israel conflict, old alliances are fracturing. Prior to the strikes, Iran had treaded closer to India—holding joint airstrike accusations with Pakistan—but now, with New Delhi staying silent, Pakistan finds itself more vocal in its support for Tehran.
The People Amid Uncertainty
In the villages scattered across Sistan‑Baluchestan and Balochistan, daily life teeters on the brink. Farmers and traders fear not just cross-border military action, but the infiltration of militants into their communities. Borders are more than lines on a map—they’re lifelines.
Analysts like Islamabad-based Simbal Khan warn of a looming “greater Baluchistan” vision, connecting insurgent forces on both sides of the border. “They’re all going to fight together if this blows up,” he lamented.
