Pakistan's power brokers fear Democrat wave in US. Ordinary families hope for one

India Today · India Today World Desk · 2026-11-06 16:06 UTC

Many Pakistani households struggling with high fuel prices and a worsening cost-of-living crisis are looking at the Democratic victory in Washington as a possible opening for a change in US policy towards the war in Iran

Many Pakistani households struggling with high fuel prices and a worsening cost-of-living crisis are looking at the Democratic victory in Washington as a possible opening for a change in US policy towards the war in Iran.

Pakistan may have backed the wrong horse in Washington. For two years, its leaders invested heavily in their relationship with Donald Trump to secure access to the White House and position Islamabad as a key player in US-Iran diplomacy. Now, after Democrats' sweeping congressional victory, that strategy could expose Pakistan to tougher scrutiny. For ordinary Pakistanis, the same election result offers something very different: hope.

Many households struggling with high fuel prices and a worsening cost-of-living crisis are looking at the Democratic victory in Washington as a possible opening for a change in US policy towards the war in Iran. They hope that a shift in Washington could eventually bring down oil prices and ease pressure on household budgets.

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