SOURCE: AFI
Recent statements from Pakistani military leaders and politicians reveal a troubling narrative: a call to lead Arab forces in a supposed conquest to reclaim what they term “Islamic land” from Israel and India, dismissing the two-state solution for Palestine and framing Kashmir as a religious battleground. This rhetoric, rooted in ideological fervor rather than strategic reality, exposes a fallacy in Pakistan’s military thinking—that it can succeed where Arab coalitions have failed over seven decades against Israel, while simultaneously challenging India over Kashmir. Such ambitions risk overextending Pakistan’s capabilities, misreading global geopolitics, and plunging the region into deeper instability.
Pakistan has historically supported the Palestinian cause, advocating for a state based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. However, recent pronouncements from military figures, including corps commanders’ meetings reported on April 4, 2025, express “complete solidarity” with Palestinians while condemning Israel’s actions as “war crimes.” More alarmingly, some statements from political and religious leaders, like those at Jamaat-e-Islami rallies, imply a rejection of the two-state solution, favoring a total reclamation of Palestinian territory as “Islamic land.” This aligns with a broader narrative of leading a pan-Islamic military effort against Israel, a role Pakistan’s army seems increasingly eager to embrace.
This vision ignores the complex history of Arab-Israeli conflicts. Since 1948, coalitions involving Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and others have fought multiple wars—1948, 1967, 1973—failing to dislodge Israel, which has developed one of the world’s most advanced militaries, backed by U.S. support and nuclear capabilities. The 1967 Six-Day War saw Israel triple its territory, while the 1973 Yom Kippur War, despite initial Arab gains, ended in strategic defeat. Modern Arab states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have shifted toward normalization with Israel via the Abraham Accords, prioritizing economic ties over ideological wars. Pakistan, with no diplomatic relations with Israel and limited regional influence, cannot realistically lead a unified Arab front, especially when Arab nations themselves have moved toward pragmatism.
Parallel to the Palestinian rhetoric, Pakistani military and political figures continue to frame Kashmir as “Islamic land” unjustly held by India, a “kafir” state. On February 17, 2025, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reiterated Pakistan’s demand for Kashmiri self-determination, linking it to Palestine and urging UN intervention. Such statements, echoed during Pakistan’s “Kashmir Solidarity Day” on February 5, 2025, portray the conflict in religious terms, alleging India’s occupation of Muslim land mirrors Israel’s actions. This narrative fuels the notion that Pakistan’s army could spearhead a campaign to “liberate” Kashmir, much as it fantasizes about rallying Arabs against Israel.
The Pakistani military’s belief that it can lead a coalition to defeat Israel and India rests on several miscalculations. First, it overestimates its influence over Arab states. Countries like Egypt and Jordan, bound by peace treaties with Israel, and Gulf monarchies, focused on economic diversification, have little appetite for Pakistan’s ideological crusade. Second, Pakistan’s military, while experienced in counterinsurgency, lacks the technological edge or logistical reach to project power beyond South Asia. Its air force, reliant on aging F-16s and JF-17s, cannot match Israel’s F-35s or India’s Su-30 MKIs. Third, the economic disparity is stark: Pakistan’s GDP of $340 billion pales against Israel’s $530 billion and India’s $3.9 trillion, limiting its ability to fund protracted wars.
The rhetoric also ignores diplomatic realities. The U.S., a key Pakistani ally, is Israel’s strongest backer, supplying $3.8 billion annually in aid. Any move against Israel would jeopardize Pakistan’s military supplies, as seen in past F-16 spare parts delays. Similarly, India’s strategic partnerships with the Quad and its role in countering China make it a global player Pakistan cannot isolate. Posts on X reflect skepticism among Pakistani analysts, with some warning that “religious rhetoric won’t win wars” and urging focus on economic stability over unattainable conquests.
By framing Palestine and Kashmir as battles for “Islamic land,” Pakistan’s military risks inflaming domestic extremism, alienating allies, and provoking stronger adversaries. The February 6, 2025, meeting in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, attended by Hamas and terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, signals a dangerous alignment that could invite international sanctions. India’s envoy at the UN on March 15, 2025, slammed Pakistan’s “fanatical mindset,” accusing it of shielding terrorism under the guise of Kashmiri rights. Meanwhile, Arab states’ silence on Pakistan’s leadership claims suggests a lack of support for its grandiose vision.
This fallacy threatens to trap Pakistan in unwinnable conflicts. Israel’s Iron Dome and David’s Sling systems neutralize most missile threats, while India’s layered defenses, including the S-400, render Pakistani incursions suicidal. The army’s focus on ideological wars diverts resources from pressing issues—terrorism in Balochistan, a 22% inflation rate, and a $130 billion debt burden. Rather than uniting Muslims against “kaffirs,” Pakistan risks isolating itself, as even allies like Turkey prioritize NATO ties over religious solidarity.
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