Pakistan, Saudi Arabia Seal Landmark Defense Pact Amid Regional Tensions
ISLAMABAD/LONDON — Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have formalized a landmark defense pact, deepening their decades-long strategic partnership and signaling a new era of security cooperation in the Middle East and South Asia.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar of Pakistan, speaking in London on Friday, described the pact as a “historic milestone” that transforms what had long been an informal understanding into a formal security guarantee. “There had always been informal beliefs among the government and the people of Pakistan regarding the security of Saudi Arabia, especially the protection of the Harmain Sharifain,” Dar said. “But this has become formal now after signing of the pact.”
Dar added that other countries have already expressed interest in pursuing similar agreements with Pakistan, though he cautioned that such arrangements “follow a due process.”
The Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement was signed in Riyadh on September 18 during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to the Kingdom. He met with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, after which the pact was finalized. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, the agreement commits both nations to treat aggression against one as aggression against both, underscoring “the depth of mutual trust and commitment to joint deterrence.”
The Foreign Office emphasized that the partnership is rooted in Islamic solidarity, shared values, and nearly eight decades of close defense cooperation. Prime Minister Sharif conveyed gratitude for Riyadh’s consistent support during Pakistan’s economic crises, while the Crown Prince extended his wishes for Pakistan’s peace and prosperity.
The agreement also comes against the backdrop of the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha on September 15, convened in response to Israeli airstrikes on Qatar. At the summit, Sharif condemned Israeli aggression, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the Palestinian cause, and urged Islamic unity against “growing Israeli adventurism.” He also met leaders from Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, and Iran on the sidelines, strengthening Islamabad’s regional outreach.
Meanwhile, in London on Sunday, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif underscored the pact’s sweeping implications, saying Saudi Arabia would stand with Pakistan in the event of Indian aggression. “If India launches another attack, Saudi Arabia will be with Pakistan,” Asif told reporters. He argued the agreement would reduce Riyadh’s dependence on Western powers while enabling Pakistan to serve Saudi interests in exchange for economic support.
Asif suggested that the accord could pave the way for a broader Muslim coalition, even proposing a NATO-like defense bloc for Islamic nations. He also pointed to labor opportunities for Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia as part of the partnership’s economic dimension.
The strategic pact signals a dramatic evolution in Pakistan-Saudi relations, intertwining their security policies and reshaping regional defense dynamics. While hailed in Islamabad and Riyadh as a cornerstone for stability, the agreement is likely to draw close attention from New Delhi, Tehran, and Western capitals, where its long-term impact on balance of power in the Middle East and South Asia will be closely scrutinized.
