Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has explained that the newly signed defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia should not be seen as a quick response to recent events in Qatar.
Speaking to the media, he said the deal had been under discussion for a long time and was part of a broader effort to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. However, he admitted that the recent regional developments may have helped speed up the process.
According to Khawaja Asif, this agreement is an important milestone in the long-standing defence partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
In the past, cooperation between the two countries was often described as “transactional,” meaning it focused mainly on specific needs or short-term arrangements. Now, the new pact aims to bring structure and clarity to that relationship, ensuring it is based on long-term planning and mutual trust.
The minister also pointed out that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have always supported each other in different areas, including military training, strategic planning, and regional security. By formalising this cooperation, both nations are hoping to build a stronger and more reliable framework that will serve their security interests in the years ahead.
He further stressed that Pakistan’s foreign and defence policies are shaped by national priorities rather than temporary events in the region. “This is about building on decades of friendship and shared goals, not reacting to any single incident,” he said.
The defence pact is being seen as a move that will bring Pakistan and Saudi Arabia even closer, while also contributing to regional stability.
