Iran-Israel conflict could impact Pakistan: Masood

Former president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and senior diplomat Masood Khan has warned that the escalating Iran-Israel conflict could have grave and far-reaching implications for Pakistan's national security and stability.

In a series of media interviews, Khan expressed deep concern over the widening scope of hostilities between Iran and Israel, cautioning that a prolonged war could trigger a new wave of refugee influx into Pakistan, similar to the aftermath of the Afghan conflict.

"If the war drags on, there is a strong possibility of a mass exodus of Iranian refugees towards Pakistan," he stated, noting that such a scenario would strain Pakistan's resources and social fabric.

Khan emphasized that a potentially more dangerous outcome would be the weakening of the Pakistan-Iran border, making it vulnerable to exploitation by anti-state elements.

"Groups backed by hostile foreign powers, especially India—such as BLA, BLF, and other proxies — could infiltrate into Pakistan unchecked, posing a serious threat to our internal security," he warned. Touching on the strategic motives behind Israel's military actions, Khan pointed out that Tel Aviv has made targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure.

"Israel has already attacked nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, Fordow, and other key locations where uranium enrichment and missile programmes are believed to be based," he said. "They claim to have neutralized nearly 40 percent of Iran's air defense systems."

Khan asserted that Israel is pressuring the United States to either intervene directly in the conflict or allow Israel to use tactical nuclear weapons against Iran.

"Israel is lobbying for the use of bunker-buster bombs or subterranean nuclear strikes that, according to them, would limit radioactive fallout to underground areas," he explained.