Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have forged a new frontier in defence cooperation by signing a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in Riyadh. Under this pact, any aggression against one country will be treated as an attack against both. Leaders from both nations say this marks a historic intensification of military solidarity.
The agreement was formalized at Yamama Palace, where Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The move reinforces eight decades of strategic ties rooted in military cooperation, shared economic interests, and Islamic brotherhood.
As part of the agreement, both governments pledged to enhance joint deterrence capabilities. The pact also promises mutual respect for regional security and peace, signaling a willingness to formalize defence frameworks in response to escalating threats. Pakistan emphasized appreciation for Saudi hospitality and the long-standing friendship between the two nations.
High-level delegations from both countries reviewed extensive bilateral issues including military cooperation, defense preparedness, and regional stability. The Pakistani Foreign Office confirmed that PM Shehbaz travelled to Riyadh at the invitation of the Crown Prince and was honored with a guard-of-honor upon arrival.
Observers say this Defence Agreement is timed amid shifting geopolitical tensions across the Middle East and South Asia, with both nations seeking reliable allies to contend with rising threats. For Pakistan, which depends heavily on Saudi financial and energy support, this formal pact extends security guarantees that could recalibrate its foreign policy.
Critics warn that this arrangement could draw both countries into broader conflicts. Backers argue it strengthens deterrence and regional peace, potentially offering stability in an era defined by shifting alliances.
With global interest sharply focused on Saudi Arabia’s expanding diplomatic and military posture, this new pact with Pakistan could reshape strategic balances serving as a signal that shared defence lines are no longer behind closed doors but enshrined in treaty.
