Islamabad:
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a “strategic mutual defense agreement” on Wednesday and stated that “any aggression against both country should be considered an aggression against both”, “according to a Pak-Saudi joint statement.
The pact was signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh on invitation from Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
“Builds on the historic partnership that extends in nearly eight decades between the Kingdom of Saudi -Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and based on Bonds of Brotherhood and Islamic Solidarity, as well as common strategic interests and close defense cooperation between the two countries, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud, Kronprins and Kronprins, Exlitend Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed the ‘strategic mutual defense agreement’, the statement says.
It added that the agreement “reflects both nations’ common obligation to improve their security and to achieve security and peace in the region and the world aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.”
The agreement states that any aggression against any country should be considered an aggression against both. “
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have many years of strategic and defense cooperation, but the latest covenant is seen as significant based on recent development, including Israeli strikes on Qatar.
However, a Saudi official told Reuters that the agreement was not intended to respond to any specific event rather reflected the long -standing strategic cooperation between Islamabad and Riyadh.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in bilateral tapes, which has long rested on close defense and security cooperation. For decades, Pakistani military teachers have served in the kingdom, while Riyadh has expanded generous financial support to Islamabad in times of economic crisis.
The time of the agreement is remarkable, which comes in a moment when both sides are facing continued security challenges.
The Prime Minister’s visit combined with the signing of the covenant emphasizes Islamabad’s efforts to cement ties with the kingdom at both political and security level, even when both countries continue to explore expanded financial cooperation.
Previously, the Prime Minister was escorted by Saudi air weapons rays when his aircraft entered the Saudi airspace, in a rare gesture.
Later, Saudi Crown Prince Prime Minister Shehbaz, accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, received in al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, where both sides held an official round with conversations in the presence of their respective delegations.
“At the beginning of the session, his Excellence Prime Minister in Pakistan conveyed his greetings and warm wishes to the manager of the two holy mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,” said the joint statement.
“The two sides reviewed the historical and strategic relationships between both countries and a number of issues of common interest,” it added.
The Pakistani Prime Minister “expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister for the Warm Welcome and Generous Hospitality Expanded to him and his accompanying delegation.”
Shehbaz “also conveyed his best wishes for the continued well -being of the depotman of the two holy mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud and his royal highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister and the Continued progress and Prosperity, for the Brodere in the Kingdom of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
In contrast, the Saudi Crown Prince expanded “his warm wishes for the good health and well -being of his excellence prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and for further progress and prosperity for the brotherly people in Pakistan.”
