Islamabad/Riyadh – Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif has indicated that other Arab countries may be invited to join the recently signed Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, signaling the possibility of a broader regional security framework.
The landmark agreement, signed on September 17, 2025, by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, declares that an attack on either country will be considered an attack on both. The pact also includes provisions for intelligence sharing, joint military exercises, and cooperation on counterterrorism and defence technology.
Speaking to Geo News, Khawaja Asif said, “I cannot prematurely answer this, but I will definitely say the doors are not closed.” He clarified that the agreement does not prevent Pakistan from entering into similar arrangements with other nations and does not exclude future participation by additional Arab countries.
Asif also confirmed that Pakistan’s full defence capabilities, including its nuclear deterrent, would be available under the pact if required. “What we have, and the capabilities we possess, will be made available to Saudi Arabia according to this agreement,” he said, underscoring Pakistan’s long-standing position as a responsible nuclear power.
Analysts see the agreement as a major development in Middle Eastern security architecture, particularly in light of recent regional tensions, including Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar last week. The pact is viewed as a signal of solidarity from Pakistan toward Gulf nations concerned about their security environment.
Sanctioned over its nuclear program in the past, Pakistan has historically received strong financial support from Saudi Arabia, which helped sustain its weapons development efforts. This new agreement formalizes decades of military cooperation and could pave the way for a collective security arrangement among Arab states should others join in the future.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their commitment to peace, regional stability, and protecting their shared interests. The defence ministry noted that further details regarding implementation and potential expansion of the pact will be shared in due course.