Pakistan, Saudi Arabia may expand defence pact: Khawaja Asif

WEB DESK: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will jointly decide whether to include any other country in their bilateral defence agreement, Defence Minister said on Tuesday, signalling the possibility of expanding the pact to other Muslim-majority states, including Türkiye.

Speaking on the matter to Geo News, the minister said that the Pakistan-Saudi defence arrangement could be broadened if both sides agree, adding that Islamic countries should consider forming a wider collective defence framework to safeguard their security interests.

He underlined Pakistan’s close ties with Iran, describing the neighbouring country as a trusted partner. “Iran is our neighbour and we share admirable relations with it. Iranians are our brothers,” he said, stressing that Iran harbours no aggressive intentions against any country.

The minister added that Pakistan’s consistent position has been to support Iran’s security, noting that Islamabad believes Iran should remain safe and stable in the region.

In contrast, he said Israel was a country that posed a threat to others, without elaborating further.

What is Pakistan-Saudi Arab Defence Pact?

Earlier in September, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a formal mutual defence pact, significantly deepening their long-standing security partnership. According to a joint statement carried by Saudi state media, the agreement declares that any attack on either country will be treated as an attack on both, strengthening joint deterrence against external aggression. The pact aims to expand defence cooperation and reflects what both sides described as shared strategic interests and a commitment to regional and global security.

The agreement was signed in Riyadh during a meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is on a state visit to the kingdom. The two leaders discussed ways to enhance their strategic partnership across multiple fields and exchanged views on regional and international developments, as well as efforts to promote peace and stability.

Scope, context and regional implications

A senior Saudi official had told Reuters that the pact was the culmination of years of discussions and should not be seen as a response to any specific country or recent event, but rather the institutionalisation of deep-rooted defence cooperation. Describing it as a comprehensive defensive agreement, the official said it encompasses all military means, when asked whether it could include Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities if required.

The signing had come amid heightened regional tensions, days after an extraordinary joint session of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation was convened following Israel’s attack on Doha. While reinforcing ties with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia stressed that its relationship with India remains strong, despite recent hostilities between India and Pakistan.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have shared close military and trade relations for decades. Since 1967, Pakistan has trained more than 8,200 Saudi military personnel, and the two countries have regularly conducted joint military exercises, underscoring the depth of their defence cooperation.