Pakistan reaffirms defence pacts with Saudi Arabia

Pakistan’s leadership has reaffirmed its strategic and military commitment to Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the Kingdom’s 96th National Day. President Asif Ali Zardari sent messages to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, highlighting that the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement have strengthened the bilateral partnership.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also issued a message emphasizing that Pakistan stands “shoulder to shoulder” with the Kingdom to safeguard its sovereignty and the sanctity of Islam’s holiest sites. This commitment comes amid renewed tensions in the region, specifically regarding Houthi attacks involving missiles and drones directed toward Saudi infrastructure and airspace near Makkah.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye in August, stipulates that an armed attack on one signatory is to be treated as an attack on all three. Additionally, a separate bilateral mutual defence agreement was signed between Islamabad and Riyadh in September 2025.