Key Points in Defence Pact:
• PM Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in Riyadh.
• Pact declares that any aggression against one will be treated as aggression against both nations.
• Ceremony held at Yamama Palace, with full guard of honour for PM Shehbaz.
• Saudi Air Force jets escorted Sharif’s plane into the kingdom as a gesture of respect.
• Pakistan’s top leadership, including COAS Asim Munir and senior ministers, joined the visit.
• Agreement expands the long-standing ties of military cooperation, economic aid, and energy support.
• Visit signals a new phase in Pakistan–Saudi relations, reinforcing strategic and Islamic brotherhood.
RIYADH (Monitoring Desk) – Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday signed a “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement”, elevating their already close partnership to a new level of security cooperation.
Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia H.R.H. Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Defence Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia H.R.H. Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal, Syed Asim Munir Chief of Army Staff in a photo… pic.twitter.com/iS3VKl1vqq
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) September 17, 2025
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sealed the pact at Riyadh’s Yamama Palace. According to the PM’s Office, the agreement declares that any act of aggression against one country will be considered aggression against both—a rare and powerful defence commitment in the Muslim world.
The meeting was marked by warm symbolism.
PM Shehbaz was presented with a guard of honour, while Saudi Air Force jets escorted and protected his aircraft as it entered Saudi airspace. State-run PTV described the gesture as one of “brotherly love and respect.”
The Prime Minister was accompanied by a high-powered delegation, including Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Environment Minister Musadik Malik, SAPM Tariq Fatemi, and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The Foreign Office said the visit provided “an important opportunity to consolidate this unique partnership while exploring new avenues of collaboration.” Both leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.
Saudi Arabia has long been a key economic and strategic ally of Pakistan, providing oil, financial assistance, and investments. The new pact reflects what officials called the “historic relationship” between the two nations, now reinforced by a mutual defence shield.
The signing of this agreement, following recent high-level visits and growing military ties, signals a new era of Pakistan–Saudi relations, with both sides keen to project unity and strength in the face of regional challenges.
