Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said during the weekly press briefing that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Prime Minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation.
At Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, formal talks were held between the two leaders. The discussions highlighted the historic and strategic ties between the two brotherly nations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also conveyed best wishes for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
The spokesperson confirmed that under the new agreement, any aggression against one country will be considered an aggression against both. He clarified that the deal is purely defensive and not directed against any third country. Instead, it aims to strengthen decades-long partnership and promote peace, security and stability in the region.
He further noted that this agreement formally gives shape to the strong partnership Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have shared for decades, making it a milestone in their defence cooperation.
In addition, the Foreign Office briefed about other diplomatic engagements. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended the OIC meeting in Doha on September 18, where he strongly condemned Israel’s attack on Qatar and expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with Muslim nations.
Read more: Historic defence pact with Saudi Arabia a testament to exceptional leadership
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also visited Doha and condemned Israeli aggression against Qatar, Gaza and Palestine in the strongest words.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari is currently in China, where he held meetings with leaders and signed multiple MoUs. These agreements include cooperation in the field of education along with other sectors.
This defence pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is more than symbolism – it is a formal guarantee of collective security. While both sides insist the agreement is defensive, its message is clear: unity against external threats. Alongside, Pakistan’s active role in OIC and China shows it is positioning itself at the center of regional diplomacy. The real test, however, will be how this pact plays out during future crises.
