Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have signed a landmark ‘Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement’ in Riyadh, marking the most significant upgrade in defense ties between the two nations in decades. According to a joint statement, the pact aims to enhance security and strengthen joint deterrence, stating that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.”
The timing of the accord, which follows recent regional developments and a shift toward collective security, underscores the shared defense concerns of both nations. While the specifics of the agreement were not disclosed, it is seen as formalizing a de facto joint defensive umbrella that had long existed in practice. For Pakistan, the pact offers crucial economic benefits by securing vital Saudi investment during a time of fiscal strain, while for Saudi Arabia, it bolsters defenses against regional threats. The agreement represents Pakistan’s most consequential formal defense commitment in decades.
