Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in Islamabad that pledges any attack on one will be considered an attack on both.

The pact was formalised during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit, where talks were held with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Both countries emphasised enhanced defence cooperation and strengthened joint deterrence against aggression.

Officials say the accord reflects a culmination of long-standing strategic discussions rather than a reaction to any single incident.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia underscored their commitment to regional and global peace and security, while maintaining close bilateral ties rooted in mutual interests.

The dramatic implication of the deal is that Saudi Arabia becomes the first Arab state in the region to acquire, even if indirectly, nuclear strike capability—challenging Israel’s long-standing monopoly in this domain.

While Saudi Arabia does not pose a direct threat to Israel, and the two states share significant mutual interests, the recent airstrike in Qatar has pushed regional powers to significantly upgrade their military capacities in response to Israel’s impressive displays of superiority over the past year in Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Qatar.

The agreement follows rising regional tensions, particularly after the September ninth Israeli airstrike in Doha, Qatar, which killed six people, and growing concerns among Gulf Arab states about the reliability of traditional security guarantors.

The pact could alter strategic calculations in South Asia and the Gulf, as both nations deepen their military collaboration under a shared understanding of external threats.