Abstract:
Iran and KSA relations remained conflictual and this ideological competition to gain influence over the Middle East resulted in a series of proxy wars which creates tension not particularly in the Middle Eastern region but further curtailed in the whole Muslim world, especially Pakistan because of Pakistan’s diversified demography and a religious blend of Sunni, and Shia’s as the major sects in the country and the role of external factors i.e.; Iran and KSA resulted into growing sectarianism which is the destabilizing factors that threaten the internal stability of Pakistan as Pakistan have good relations with both of the countries and could not tilt its support to either side because tilting the support to either side means there will be a sectarian drift in Pakistan so in this way the ideological tussle among Iran and KSA directly affected Pakistan. Therefore, this study aims to explore the events that intensified the rivalry between Iran and KSA with its implication on Pakistan’s sectarian divide that leads to the fragmented society which challenges the ideological development of Pakistan and in this case the policy options for Pakistan are limited but still Pakistan is doing best by keeping the policy of neutrality in dealing with both rival states which Pakistan should need to continue in Future. Moreover, Pakistan being a trustworthy friend of both states should come up with a determination and proactive approach to help in narrowing the gulf thus this research is unique in a way that it gives a new perspective for understanding the unsighted role of two contenders (Iran-KSA) in magnifying the sectarian differences in Pakistan and Pakistan’s exertions of reconciliation between Iran and KSA. Furthermore, this research lies under the International Political community area of International relations where the theories of Nationalism and Constructivism highlights the role of identity and socially constructed ideas. Lastly, the Qualitative method is adopted to study the research in detail with the use of different qualitative strategies like thematic analysis, phenomenological analysis, case study and the ethnographical analysis along with that both Primary and Secondary data collection methods have been used to make the research more effective.
