ISLAMABAD – September 2025: Pakistan’s Foreign Office clarified on Friday that the newly signed defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is strictly defensive in nature and not directed against any particular country.
Speaking at the weekly media briefing, FO Spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan said the pact underscores the resolve of both nations to deepen their long-standing defence cooperation. “The leadership of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is fully committed to elevating bilateral relations to new heights,” he told reporters.
The landmark agreement, signed in Riyadh on September 17 by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, marks a significant expansion of a decades-old security partnership. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the accord states that aggression against either country will be considered an attack on both.
Ambassador Khan highlighted that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share a unique bond of faith, brotherhood, and strategic partnership, with defence cooperation dating back to the 1960s. “This agreement formalises and further strengthens that robust relationship,” he said, adding that the pact is designed to contribute to regional peace, security, and stability.
During Prime Minister Sharif’s visit, high-level talks and official-level meetings were held, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to enhancing cooperation across multiple fields.
OIC Condemns Israeli Aggression
The FO spokesperson also briefed journalists on the outcome of the emergency OIC summit held in Doha, where representatives from over 50 Muslim-majority countries gathered to discuss Israel’s recent strikes in Qatar and its ongoing aggression against Palestinians.
Khan said the foreign ministers unanimously adopted a joint communiqué condemning Israel’s actions as “unlawful and unprovoked.” Pakistan’s foreign minister, he added, strongly denounced Israeli aggression and praised Qatar’s mediation efforts during the meeting.
He further noted that Pakistan has raised the issue at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, calling for an urgent debate. The OIC communiqué demanded that Israel be held accountable for violations of international law, condemned atrocities against civilians, and reaffirmed solidarity with the Palestinian people.
