Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s Defense Pact — America’s Silent Witness !

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s Defense Pact — America’s Silent Witness !
By Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada
In the deserts of history, there are rare moments when agreements are forged that alter the very map of the future. On September 17, 2025, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement,” a pact that is far more than ink on paper. It is a resounding echo, a thunderous declaration shaking the balance of power that the United States and its allies  particularly Israel — have carefully crafted and sustained for decades. This pact is like a ringing bell across the Arab desert, proclaiming that the Arab world will no longer rely solely on America’s guardianship for its defense.
The sands of time have always slipped through the hands of kings and empires. The same sun that once rose in the East is now setting in the West. This is the eternal philosophy of history: when one star fades, another begins to shine. The Saudi-Pakistan defense pact is not merely an agreement between two nations; it is an earthquake in the global balance of power, heralding the dawn of a new era whose echoes will be heard for years to come.
The greatest shock has been America’s silence. When the agreement was signed in Riyadh on September 17, there was no official statement from Washington, the capital of the world’s only superpower. Neither the White House spoke, nor did the Pentagon offer any clarification. This silence is not mere absence. it is symbolic. It is an unspoken confession that the United States no longer holds the same stature it once did. Behind this silence lie disbelief, apathy, and perhaps even regret. The Trump administration, now in its second term, had dreamed of expanding its influence in the Middle East, yet in the wake of this pact, it stands mute and powerless before its traditional ally, Saudi Arabia.
While Washington has chosen silence, the international media has been anything but quiet. Newspapers and analysts across the globe have captured the significance of this pact in bold headlines.
“As US reliability falters, Saudi Arabia turns to a nuclear-armed ally”
Translation: “As trust in the United States crumbles, Saudi Arabia turns to a partner armed with nuclear weapons.”
And another striking headline read:
“Saudi pact puts Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella into Middle East security”
Translation: “The Saudi pact has brought Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella into the heart of Middle Eastern security.”
These are not just words printed on paper. They reflect a shifting global reality, a narrative of transformation that can no longer be denied.
The Arab world’s disillusionment with America has been a long time in the making. For decades, Gulf states have poured vast sums into Washington’s coffers to secure their safety, paying a so-called “watchman” who, in the end, not only failed to protect them but shielded the very “thief” — Israel, who threatened them.
As this pact was being signed in Riyadh, Israeli bombs continued to fall on Palestinian soil. By September 2025, Israel had killed more than 65,141 Palestinians and injured over 165,925  a staggering human tragedy to which the world’s conscience has fallen silent. International institutions that claim to safeguard human rights have stood by, reduced to mere spectators.
But the war no longer remains confined to Gaza. In a shocking escalation, Israel launched a direct attack on Qatar, opening a new and dangerous chapter. This strike was a blatant violation of the United Nations Charter and, in many ways, a declaration of war. Qatar was the first target, but no one knows which Arab nation might be next.
For the Gulf states those same countries that have paid billions to the United States for protection — this was a moment of revelation. Washington was not only silent in the face of this attack but actively supplied weapons to Israel, shielding its actions from international scrutiny. This betrayal shattered whatever fragile trust remained. It was at this critical juncture that Saudi Arabia made its decision: no longer would it knock on others’ doors for its defense.
America’s unwavering support for Israel has now become a noose around Washington’s own neck. The trust that Arab nations once held in the United States, once a strategic treasure, is slipping away like sand through fingers. With the signing of this pact, the perception has only deepened — the United States is now increasingly isolated on the global stage.
In this shifting landscape, Saudi Arabia’s turn toward Pakistan comes as no surprise. The agreement is not just about defense; it is a symbolic declaration that the Muslim world will no longer depend entirely on outsiders for its survival. Pakistan, the world’s only Muslim nuclear power, has emerged not only as the guardian of its own sovereignty but as a shield for the entire Muslim ummah.
Though Pakistan is currently governed under what its own Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has described as a “hybrid government,” the reality is clear: the credit for this bold move goes squarely to Field Marshal Asim Munir. His leadership has strengthened Pakistan internally and elevated its stature internationally. This pact reflects his vision and timely decision-making. India, meanwhile, watches in growing unease as the alliance between Riyadh and Islamabad begins to reshape the balance of power in the region, threatening New Delhi’s strategic calculus.
Economic dynamics are shifting as well. Recent data shows that from April to March, Saudi Arabia invested only $35 to $40 million in India, a relatively modest amount, limited to small projects and partnerships. By contrast, the bulk of Arab world investment in India, worth billions, flows primarily through the UAE. But as Riyadh realigns its priorities toward Pakistan, serious questions arise about India’s future economic prospects. This is a pivotal moment: nations that make the right decisions at the right time move forward, while those that hesitate risk decline.
The echoes of this pact reach deep into history. It recalls the vision of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who, through the Islamic Summit Conference, sought to unite the Muslim world on a single platform. It was at that very summit that he introduced the idea of an “Islamic Bomb”  a symbol of collective defense for the Muslim ummah. Half a century later, it seems Pakistan’s foreign policy is once again moving in that direction. This pact is the realization of that once-distant dream.
Saudi Arabia’s decision to stand alongside Pakistan at this level is a clear signal that Riyadh sees Islamabad’s strategic value as far greater than New Delhi’s. This is the essence of making the right decision at the right moment  a choice that determines the course of nations.
This agreement is not just between two countries. It sends a message to the entire world: the global chessboard of power is being reset. For the United States, it is a stark warning that unless it changes course, its allies will forge new paths without it.
For Pakistan, this is a moment of pride. The country stands not only as the protector of its own borders but also as a shield for the broader Arab world.
The world stands at a crossroads. America, through its own policies, is isolating itself. In the Middle East, Israel’s relentless aggression has destroyed every prospect for peace. Against this backdrop, the Saudi-Pakistan alliance emerges as a beacon of hope ,not just for these two nations, but for the entire Muslim world. It is a declaration that our destiny lies in our own hands, and our safety rests on our own strength. This is the very essence of true independence.
The future will not be shaped by bullets alone, but by unity and strategy. History will remember the nations that make the right choices at the right moments, for they are the ones destined to live forever in the pages of time.