Tehran’s influence in Pakistan becomes visible amid Israel-Iran tensions
Shiite Muslims in Pakistan have considerable clout, and their ideological links are with the religious hierarchy in Iran.
KARACHI — On Sept. 30, thousands of people took to the streets in several cities across Pakistan to protest the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli air attack on the Lebanese capital of Beirut. Though demonstrations took place in Islamabad and other cities, tensions were particularly high in Karachi, ending in clashes with the police.
Notably, the Karachi rally was led by Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), a Pakistani Shiite political group. Given that Iran is a neighboring Muslim country, the political climate there often impacts Pakistan, since Iran is the world’s largest Shiite-majority state, and Pakistan has a sizable Shiite community.
Roberto Neccia, an independent researcher and Iran analyst, told Al-Monitor that the influence of the Shiite community within Pakistan stretches back many years.
“This influence emerged when the Saudis asked Islamabad to join the Arab coalition against the Houthis in April 2015. The parliament voted against [joining the coalition] unanimously, irritating the Saudis. Though I was told the decision was political and not based on sectarianism,” Neccia said.
