Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have entered into a formal mutual defence agreement aimed at deepening military cooperation at a time when tensions across the Middle East and South Asia are on the rise.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday in Riyadh, where Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were joined by Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. The deal builds on decades of security collaboration between both nations and is intended to strengthen collective defence against external threats.
The pact comes at a moment when Gulf Arab states are questioning the dependability of the United States as their main security partner. Concerns grew after Israel carried out airstrikes in Doha last week targeting Hamas leaders during ongoing ceasefire talks brokered by Qatar. The attack angered many Arab governments and added to the instability already caused by the Gaza conflict.
Under the terms of the pact, an attack on either Saudi Arabia or Pakistan will be regarded as an attack on both. The agreement also covers wide-ranging areas of defence, including conventional military support and advanced deterrence capabilities. While questions have been raised about the possibility of nuclear protection for Riyadh, Saudi officials have described the deal as a broad defensive framework.
The Saudi government explained that the signing was the result of years of dialogue and not a reaction to specific countries or incidents. At the same time, it noted that the kingdom would continue to nurture its growing ties with India, Pakistan’s rival, while working to promote peace in the region.
For Pakistan, the pact represents both a reaffirmation of its traditional partnership with Saudi Arabia and an opportunity to reinforce its role in regional security. A statement from the prime minister’s office described the agreement as a joint commitment to defending both countries and promoting stability in the wider Middle East and beyond.