By Khushal Khan

The ongoing US-Israeli aggression against Iran has placed Pakistan at a critical geopolitical crossroads. Will Islamabad continue its decades-old pattern of subservience to Gulf Arab monarchies, or will it seize the moment to assert genuine leadership in the Muslim world?

Prominent journalist and political analyst Shiraz Paracha, who covers South Asia, Central Asia, and Middle East affairs, wrote an article on his Facebook page, arguing that Pakistan possesses a unique opportunity to bridge divides and reshape regional alliances -- but only if it negotiates from strength rather than weakness.

Paracha notes that Gulf Arab states are witnessing firsthand how Washington prioritizes Israel over its traditional partners. The United States has dedicated its resources and power to protecting Israeli interests -- a pattern that transcends any single administration.

"

These Gulf states are no more than tissue paper in American eyes," Paracha observes.

This realization, he argues, has created an opening for Pakistan and China to play pivotal roles in reordering the Middle East's geopolitical landscape.

According to Paracha, Israel is actively working to trigger direct confrontation between Iran and Arab nations through false flag operations. Recent attacks on a British base in Cyprus, Saudi oil facilities, and assets in Qatar, Oman, Azerbaijan, and Turkey were reportedly designed to blame Tehran and invoke NATO Article 5 against Iran.

Iran, however, has reached out directly to these countries to clarify that its retaliation remains focused exclusively on US military assets -- not its neighbors.

Paracha credits Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar with playing a significant behind-the-scenes role in reducing misunderstandings between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

"After a long time, Pakistan has a foreign minister who understands statecraft and works quietly in the background, without self-promotion, navigating Pakistan's foreign policy through treacherous waters," Paracha writes.

Paracha is blunt about the historical dynamic between Pakistan and Gulf monarchies. Approximately 5.5 million Pakistanis currently work in Gulf states, nearly 2 million in Saudi Arabia alone. The vast majority belong to working-class backgrounds.

"These Arabs treat poor Pakistanis like slaves and view them with contempt," he notes, pointing out that in exchange for financial assistance, Gulf dictators have humiliated Pakistan's elected governments for decades.

Paracha proposes that Pakistan should use its current leverage to demand concrete concessions for its citizens, including:

• Permanent residency cards for Pakistanis in Gulf states

• Release of Pakistanis imprisoned abroad

• Fair treatment in legal matters

Most ambitiously, he suggests reviving Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's 1974 vision of an Islamic international bank that would free Muslim nations from dependence on Western financial institutions.

Rather than fearing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Paracha argues that Gulf states should embrace it as a land route to supply oil and gas to China and Southeast Asia, benefiting all parties.

Paracha warns that the current warmth in Pakistan-US ties is temporary. President Trump's mercurial nature means he could turn against Islamabad at any moment, particularly if Pakistan refuses to participate in operations against Iran.

"Today or tomorrow, Trump will resume his opposition to Pakistan," Paracha predicts. "The reason will be Pakistan's refusal to join any American plan or operation against Iran."

For Paracha, the choice is clear: Pakistan can continue as a subordinate player in other nations' games, or it can assert itself as a bridge between China, the Gulf states, and Iran, demanding dignity for its citizens and respect for its sovereignty in the process.

"The current construction and development of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf countries includes the sweat and toil of Pakistani workers and craftsmen," Paracha reminds readers. "It is time their sacrifice was honored, not with charity, but with dignity."

*Khushal Khan is a geopolitical commentator focusing on Pakistan's foreign policy and regional affairs.