ISLAMABAD/RIYADH: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have taken a decisive step in redefining their strategic partnership by signing a landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in Riyadh. The agreement, inked by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace, pledges that any attack on one nation will be treated as an attack on both.
The joint statement issued by both sides highlights the pact as a reflection of their “shared responsibility” to maintain peace, stability, and deterrence in an increasingly volatile region. While the finer operational details remain classified, the accord signals a stronger military and diplomatic bond between the two long-standing allies.
Prime Minister Shehbaz was accompanied by a high-level delegation including the Chief of Army Staff, Defence Minister, and Foreign Minister, underscoring the weight Islamabad attaches to this new security framework. The Saudi leadership, too, extended military honours and ceremonial protocol to mark the occasion, further amplifying the importance of the deal.
For Pakistan, this pact not only strengthens national security but also opens doors for enhanced economic cooperation and investment from Riyadh. For Saudi Arabia, it ensures a trusted partner in its quest to safeguard regional interests, particularly at a time when security challenges across the Middle East continue to grow.
Analysts suggest the deal carries wider implications beyond bilateral ties, as it positions both countries as central players in shaping the evolving security architecture of the region. The pact is being seen as a strategic shift — a move towards collective defence in the face of mounting regional uncertainties.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.