Pakistan, Saudi Arabia sign mutual defence agreement

RIYADH: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday signed a landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) which says “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both”.

A statement issued issued by by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained the reasoning and objectives behind the move, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had a detailed discussion on bilateral, regional and global issues.

Read more: Shehbaz meets Mohammed bin Salman to advance cooperation

“This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieving security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.”

Meanwhile, the latest development comes soon after the Doha attack which saw Israel attacking Qatar to assassinate the Hamas leadership, showing how far-right Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has become a threat to the whole region as his government is openly talking about the Greater Israel plan.

That’s why Pakistan at the recently-held Arab-Islamic summit suggested that creation of “an Arab-Islamic task force” and adopting “effective deterrent and offensive measures” to check Israel’s expansionist designs.

“The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both,” the statement noted.

IT’S COMPREHENSIVE

On the other hand, Reuters quoted a Saudi official as saying that the defence pact is a comprehensive defensive agreement that encompasses all military means.

It reflects longstanding cooperation between two countries, not a response to specific events, the Saudi official told Reuters.

On the other hand, the move also coincides with the upcoming conference on the two-state solution later this week where a large of countries, including Western nations, are going to announce recognising the Palestinian state.

Read more: No annexation attempt will derail Two-State Solution push: Macron

The development comes despite opposition from both Israel and the United States under a joint diplomatic push by France and Saudi Arabia.