Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Seal Mutual Defense Pact Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a “strategic mutual defense agreement,” pledging to enhance security and affirming their joint commitment to peace and stability in the region and beyond. The historic accord was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
According to a statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Wednesday night, the purpose of the pact is to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries and reinforce joint defense and protection against any aggression.
Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, is credited with playing a pivotal role in bringing the agreement to fruition, positioning Pakistan as a partner of Saudi Arabia in safeguarding the Two Holy Mosques, defense sources in Islamabad report.
The accord firmly establishes Pakistan as a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia in the defense and protection of the holy sites.
At the invitation of the crown prince, Sharif paid an official visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
The crown prince welcomed the Pakistani premier at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, where the two leaders held talks in the presence of their respective delegations.
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According to the Saudi Gazette, several Saudi Royal Air Force fighter jets escorted the aircraft carrying Sharif from the moment it entered Saudi airspace until its landing at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
The Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh confirmed that Sharif, following the Saudi Arabia trip, will proceed to London and then travel to the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
Pakistan counts Saudi Arabia among its closest friends and strategic partners in the region. In recent years, the kingdom has extended significant support to Islamabad during its prolonged economic challenges, including external financial assistance and help in securing International Monetary Fund lending programs.
Earlier this week in Doha, Sharif and Mohammed bin Salman also held a brief meeting.
The Doha meeting was convened as an expression of support for Qatar after Israel carried out airstrikes there on Sept. 9, targeting Hamas leaders.
Sharif assured the crown prince that Islamabad would extend full diplomatic support at the United Nations Security Council and other international forums against Israel’s military actions in the Middle East.
The signing of the strategic mutual defense agreement carries added significance against the backdrop of the recent escalation in the Middle East, particularly following Israel’s airstrikes in Doha targeting Hamas leaders.
As the only Muslim nation with nuclear weapons, Pakistan’s partnership with Saudi Arabia gives the pact significant weight and increases its potential influence on regional security dynamics.
By committing to joint defense and expanded military cooperation, Islamabad and Riyadh have delivered a clear message of unity and determination—both in protecting their own security and in promoting stability within an increasingly volatile regional landscape.
