Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have entered into a landmark defence pact in Riyadh, a move that has drawn considerable attention across the region. The agreement, formally known as the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, stipulates that any attack on either country will be treated as an attack on both. What makes this pact particularly significant, according to several media reports, is that it effectively brings Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal into the fold, allowing it to be considered part of Saudi Arabia’s defence umbrella if circumstances demand. Such a provision underscores the weight and seriousness of this new military alliance.
The timing of the agreement is also crucial. It comes immediately after a high-profile summit in Doha, attended by 40 Islamic nations including Pakistan, where calls were made for the establishment of a NATO-style military alliance in the Islamic world. The push for collective security followed closely on the heels of Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar, which has reignited debates about Muslim solidarity and the need for a coordinated response to external aggression. Against this backdrop, Pakistan’s unique position as the only Muslim-majority country with nuclear weapons gives this pact an added layer of importance, potentially elevating its status as a central player in shaping the future security architecture of the Islamic bloc.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday at Al-Yamamah Palace during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official state visit to Saudi Arabia. The Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office released a statement affirming that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an act of aggression against both,” formalising what is now a collective defence posture. This joint stance aims to strengthen bilateral security cooperation, enhance deterrence, and send a message of unified resistance against any external threats in the region.
In a joint statement issued after the ceremony, both governments highlighted the historic depth of their partnership, describing it as one built over nearly eight decades and rooted in Islamic solidarity, brotherhood, and shared strategic interests. The language of the statement framed the pact not just as a military necessity but as an extension of long-standing bonds that have defined Pakistan–Saudi relations for generations.
Prime Minister Sharif, accompanied by a high-level delegation including ministers of foreign affairs, defence, finance, information, and environment, as well as senior advisers, was formally welcomed in Riyadh by Deputy Governor Muhammad bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz. The visit provided the stage for the signing of this landmark agreement, which is now seen as a cornerstone in reshaping the defensive posture of both nations, while also signalling a possible shift in the larger security landscape of the Islamic world.
