Saudi Arabia signs a major defence pact with Pakistan, boosting security ties after Israel’s Qatar strikes sparked regional unrest.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has signed a strategic mutual defence pact with Pakistan, marking a major move in strengthening its security alliances. The deal reflects Riyadh’s push to diversify beyond its traditional reliance on the United States.
The pact, agreed with Pakistan—a nuclear-armed South Asian nation—comes just a week after Gulf states were rattled by Israel’s missile strikes targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar. The attacks heightened fears of wider instability across the region and questioned the reliability of current security guarantees.
By formalising this agreement, Saudi Arabia is signalling its determination to build stronger regional defence partnerships. Pakistan, with its powerful military and nuclear capabilities, has long shared close ties with the kingdom, including defence training and manpower support. This pact elevates that cooperation to a more strategic level.
Analysts note the timing is a clear message to Washington and Tel Aviv: Riyadh will not remain passive as regional threats rise. While the US has historically guaranteed Gulf security, recent policy rifts have encouraged Saudi Arabia to expand its options.
For Pakistan, the deal reinforces its importance as a Gulf security partner. For Saudi Arabia, it is both a deterrent strategy and a political statement that it is ready to broaden alliances in a shifting Middle Eastern landscape.
