PM Shehbaz, Saudi Crown Prince Seal Landmark Defence Pact

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed his “most cordial talks” with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a whirlwind visit to Riyadh, where the two leaders signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement — Pakistan’s most significant military accord in decades.

Shehbaz praised the “heart-warming welcome,” from fighter jet escorts to a royal guard of honour, calling it a testament to the “abiding love and mutual respect” between Islamabad and Riyadh.

The pact, inked at Al-Yamamah Palace, pledges that any aggression against one nation will be deemed an attack on both, effectively forging a joint defensive umbrella. Analysts view the agreement as a watershed moment, aligning Pakistan’s security posture with the evolving Gulf strategic order amid heightened regional turbulence.

For Islamabad, the accord promises vital Saudi investment and bolsters its role as a pan-Islamic security partner. For Riyadh, it fortifies defences against looming threats, from Iran to Israeli aggression.

Shehbaz concluded: “It is my fervent prayer that Pakistan–Saudi friendship continues to soar to new heights of glory.”