The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) on Friday that the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia earlier this week would not be used to threaten any other country.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a historic mutual defense agreement, under which any aggression against a State will be considered an attack against both. The pact was signed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Saudi heir prince Mohammad Bin Salman at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riad on Wednesday. On Thursday, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif declared in an interview that the pact was of a defensive nature.
During a weekly pressing session today, FO spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan, described the agreement “an important milestone to promote peace and security in the region and the world” and pointed out that since the 1960s, a key pillar of the ties between Islamabad and Riyadh has been the cooperation of defense.
“The strategic mutual defense agreement formalizes this association for defense of decades and solid,” said the spokesman. “It is of a defensive nature and does not address any third country. It will contribute to regional peace, security and stability.”
Khan added that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received a phone call from the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, on Thursday night, congratulating him for the historical agreement.
“The strategic defense agreement is a milestone in promoting association and trust,” said the spokesman, citing the Egyptian FM. “Both foreign ministers discussed regional and global issues and emphasized the importance of peace, stability and economic development.”
According to the spokesman, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy a “long and distinguished history of brotherhood and cooperation.”
“[The] The bilateral relationship of Arabia of Pakistan-Saudita is unique, lasting and multifaceted, “Khan described.” The leadership of the two countries share the common vision of bringing it to new heights.
“The relationship lives in the hearts of the people of [the] two countries. [The] The people of Pakistan have special feelings for Saudi Arabia, the land of Mecca and Madinah, and keep the royal family in high esteem for being the custodian of the holy sites.
Formalize historical ties
By calling the agreement a “historical pact”, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ishaq Dar, told the journalists in London that Pakistan has always maintained an informal defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, which is the same as the agreement signed on Wednesday.
“It is premature to say anything, but some other countries want to reach an agreement of this nature,” he said, answering a question about whether other states will join the pact or ink. “This was not signed during the night; he has taken several months.
“I think both parties are very happy. Let’s be sincere: Saudi Arabia has stayed with us during difficult times, such as sanctions. His support was very relevant and important,” added the FM. “Similarly, during the current crisis since 2022-2023, when we needed support from the IMF (International Monetary Fund), Saudi Arabia met us.”
