In a historic move, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have entered into a strategic mutual defence agreement, cementing decades of cooperation into a formal joint security framework.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, welcomed with full honours at Yamama Palace in Riyadh, met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to review the full spectrum of relations spanning security, economy, and energy. The Saudi Air Force’s F-15 escort of the Prime Minister’s aircraft symbolized the warmth of bilateral ties.
The pact, signed by the heads of state with the instrumental role of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, enshrines joint responsibility for protecting the Two Holy Mosques and establishes a framework where an armed attack on either Pakistan or Saudi Arabia will be regarded as an attack on both.
It also expands cooperation in joint training, counter-terrorism efforts, defence industry collaboration, and strategic force integration. Analysts call it a milestone that elevates Pakistan’s role in regional stability while reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s trust in Pakistan’s armed forces.
The visit follows a series of high-level engagements, including President Asif Zardari’s July meeting with the Saudi ambassador and Shehbaz’s June trip focused on de-escalating regional tensions.
For Pakistan, the pact is not only a security guarantee but also a diplomatic and economic opportunity, reinforcing its strategic importance in the Gulf. For Saudi Arabia, it secures a trusted partner with proven defence capabilities.
“This agreement consolidates our historic partnership while opening new avenues of cooperation,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
