LONDON: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that the historic defence pact with Saudi Arabia was not finalised overnight but took several months to conclude.
Speaking to the media in London, Dar said that a defence partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had always existed.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday signed the landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA), which states that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.”
When asked about the participation of other countries in the pact, Dar said it would be premature to comment, though some nations have expressed interest.
The deputy prime minister said both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are pleased with the agreement. He thanked Riyadh for consistently supporting Pakistan in difficult times, including during sanctions and the current financial crisis linked to the IMF bailout package.
On September 18, during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia, the agreement was signed in Riyadh by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Sharif.
The pact reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance security and contribute to peace in the region and the world. It aims to strengthen defence cooperation and reinforce joint protection against any aggression.
Earlier, Pakistan clarified that the defence pact is purely defensive in nature and not directed against any third country.
At the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said the pact will play an important role in promoting peace, security, and stability in the region. He added that the leadership of both countries is determined to elevate bilateral ties, while the pact formalises a decades-long strong partnership.
He said the agreement enhances defence cooperation and ensures collective security, under which an attack on one country would be considered an attack on both.
He said that the agreement enhances defence cooperation and ensures collective security, under which an attack on one country would be considered an attack on both.