London:
Nuclear Weapons Pakistan’s mutual defense agreement with Saudi Arabia may have a cascading effect on the Arabian Peninsula, as Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar suggested on Friday that other countries also show interest in forging similar covenants with Islamabad.
“It’s too early to say something definitive, but after this development, other countries have expressed interest in similar events,” said Ishaq Dar, who is also defense minister for Pakistan while talking to journalists in London. “However, such agreements follow a proper process. Even with Saudi -Arabia, it took several months to quit.”
Riyadh and Islamabad signed the Defense Pact late on Wednesday, which significantly strengthens a decades old security partnership a week after Israel’s ruthless strike on Qatar, the diplomatic calculation arose in the region. The development came at a time when Arabic in Gulf -Arab states is growing more and more on the reliability of the United States as a security guarantee.
Dar described the agreement as a “historic milestone” and noted that although there had always been an implicit understanding – among both the government and the population of Pakistan – regarding the country’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security, especially the protection of the two holy mosques, the signing of the pact has now formalized that mood.
Both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are satisfied and satisfied with the deal, he said, adding that the Kingdom has consistently stood by Pakistan in difficult times. “Saudi Arabia played a key role in supporting Pakistan after the international crisis and during the recent economic crisis,” he added.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told Reuters that nuclear weapons were “not on the radar” for the pact. He said the deal could be expanded to cover other golf nations.
“We don’t intend to use this covenant for any aggression,” Asif said. “But if the parties are threatened, this scheme will of course be operative.”
When asked whether Pakistan would now be obliged to give Saudi Arabia a nuclear umbrella, a senior Saudi official told Reuters: “This is a comprehensive defensive agreement that includes all military means.”
A statement from Saudi Arabia said the covenant “aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence”.
The Saudi Government Media Office did not immediately respond to a request for a comment on whether Pakistan’s nuclear weapons were included in the agreement.
Wednesday’s message did not mention nuclear weapons or any payment to Pakistan. “The agreement states that any aggression against both country should be considered an aggression against both,” Pakistan said. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, for “his great interest in expanding Saudi investments, trade and business ties” in a statement on Thursday.
