Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Seal Mutual Defence Pact Amid Regional Tensions

English , Qatar - قطر , / Friday, September 19th, 2025

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Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in Riyadh on Wednesday, a move hailed as a major step forward in strengthening military and political cooperation between the two long-time partners.
Defence ties between the two states date back to the 1960s, with Pakistani troops deployed in the kingdom at various points. The new pact, however, goes further by reaffirming that “aggression against either country shall be considered aggression against both” — a principle seen as elevating the relationship to a formal strategic alliance.
Although negotiations had been underway for years, the timing has drawn particular attention. The agreement comes just days after the Israeli attack on Qatar, which has heightened Gulf concerns over regional security and Washington’s willingness to intervene on their behalf. Analysts say Saudi Arabia and other Gulf monarchies, despite their deep ties with the U.S., are increasingly looking to diversify security partnerships. With its close links to the Gulf and its experienced, battle-tested military, Pakistan is emerging as a natural choice.
Still, questions remain over how the pact would apply to South Asia. India has not ruled out future military action against Pakistan, and Riyadh’s stance in such a scenario remains unclear. India’s foreign ministry said it is “studying the implications” of the agreement.
For Pakistan, the accord is viewed as both a diplomatic victory and an opportunity to deepen already cordial relations with Saudi Arabia. Observers also suggest that other Gulf states may pursue similar arrangements with Islamabad in the future.
Looking ahead, experts argue that broader collective security in the Middle East remains underdeveloped. They point to the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, a 43-member body led by former Pakistani army chief Raheel Sharif, as a potential framework for a “Muslim NATO.” Expanding it to include countries like Iran could project a unified stance against Israel and strengthen regional deterrence.