RIYADH Monitoring Desk
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a historic Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) aimed at strengthening bilateral defense cooperation and establishing a joint mechanism to deter any aggression against either country. Under the agreement, an attack on one nation will be considered an attack on both.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday during Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The official signing ceremony was held at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, where the Prime Minister received a grand royal welcome, including a cavalry escort and a guard of honour by the Saudi Armed Forces.
According to the joint statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the SMDA reflects the mutual commitment of both nations to enhance their individual and collective security and to work towards regional and global peace and stability. It also formally institutionalizes the decades-long defense cooperation and transforms it into a structured strategic partnership.
During the high-level bilateral talks, both leaders reviewed the deep-rooted and historic ties between the two brotherly nations and discussed a wide range of topics of mutual interest, including strategic cooperation, regional security, and economic collaboration.
The Prime Minister expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the warm hospitality and generous welcome extended to him and his delegation. He conveyed best wishes for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the people of Saudi Arabia, praying for their continued progress and prosperity.
The Crown Prince reciprocated the sentiments, expressing well wishes for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s health and the welfare of the people of Pakistan.
The talks were attended by senior officials from both sides, including:
- Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar
- Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir
- Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif
- Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb
- Climate Change Minister Dr. Musadik Malik
- Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar
- Special Assistant to PM Syed Tariq Fatemi
The SMDA is being hailed as a strategic milestone in Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations, enhancing their alliance against common threats and deepening cooperation in defense, diplomacy, and regional stability.
