Pakistan ready to defend Saudi Arabia: DG ISPR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is prepared to take all necessary defensive measures to protect Saudi Arabia amid growing regional tensions, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said, reaffirming that Islamabad’s commitment to the Kingdom’s security and sovereignty remains absolute.

In an interview with a Saudi newspaper on Wednesday, the military spokesperson said Pakistan’s response would be guided by the prevailing regional situation, the Joint Strategic Defence Agreement between the two countries and commitments under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

He stressed that Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity was non-negotiable.

Chaudhry’s remarks came amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi group on Saudi Arabia. The strikes have reportedly caused casualties and injuries while raising concerns about the security of civilian and energy infrastructure.

Pakistan has repeatedly condemned attacks targeting Saudi territory and reaffirmed its solidarity with the Kingdom. Islamabad has also stressed the importance of protecting the Two Holy Mosques and preventing further escalation in the region.

The DG ISPR said the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA) was moving towards the practical implementation of its collective defence commitments. This would require measures to ensure the timely deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities inside Saudi Arabia.

He identified enhanced operational readiness, closer military integration, intelligence-sharing arrangements and coordination of defensive operations as key elements of the implementation process.

Regarding Pakistan’s existing military presence in Saudi Arabia, Chaudhry said Pakistani personnel were already serving in the Kingdom, primarily providing defensive assistance and participating in joint military exercises and training activities.

He added that Islamabad would continue providing necessary support through military personnel, equipment, training and logistical assistance.

Asked whether Pakistan would increase its troop deployment or provide additional capabilities, including air and missile defence systems, the military spokesperson said the required assistance would continue.

However, he declined to disclose specific details about troop numbers, deployment locations or operational arrangements, explaining that such information was not publicly shared under military agreements.

Chaudhry said recent attacks against Saudi cities, airports and civilian and economic infrastructure had reinforced the need to implement the defence commitments. He described such strikes as a serious threat to the Kingdom’s sovereignty and regional stability.

He reiterated that Saudi Arabia’s security and the protection of the Two Holy Mosques remained among Pakistan’s highest priorities.

At the same time, the DG ISPR called for restraint, diplomatic engagement and efforts to prevent further escalation, warning that an expansion of regional hostilities would benefit no country.

Discussing diplomatic initiatives, Chaudhry referred to an October 26 meeting between representatives of the Makkah defence framework and Iran in Tehran. He said the discussions aimed to establish a mechanism for reducing tensions and strengthening regional cooperation.

He added that the participation of Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, following his earlier visit to Tehran, reflected Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.

According to Chaudhry, participants agreed to continue discussions to strengthen cooperation among the four countries and contribute towards regional peace and stability.

The military spokesperson also explained the difference between Pakistan’s bilateral defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and the trilateral arrangement involving Turkiye.

He said the Joint Strategic Defence Agreement between Islamabad and Riyadh provided a framework for mutual security assistance and deeper military cooperation in response to aggression against either country.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, meanwhile, brought Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye together under a broader framework covering collective defence, military preparedness and operational coordination.

Both arrangements were strictly defensive and did not involve offensive intentions against any country, he emphasised.

Chaudhry said the three countries intended to strengthen collective deterrence, expand military cooperation and contribute to regional stability through their security partnership.

Makkah defence agreement

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye formalised their trilateral defence partnership through the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7. The framework aims to improve military coordination, strengthen collective deterrence and enhance regional security.

Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack against all three, establishing a collective defence commitment.

The pact followed months of negotiations and built on the longstanding military cooperation between the three countries. It also came amid growing instability in the Middle East and increasing security concerns across the region.

The trilateral arrangement was preceded by the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September 2025. That agreement established a commitment to treat aggression against either country as aggression against both.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained close defence relations for decades, with Islamabad providing military training and technical assistance to Saudi forces. Pakistan and Turkiye have also expanded cooperation in military training, naval projects and defence production.

The partnership reflects efforts by the three countries to strengthen their strategic cooperation while addressing growing regional security challenges. Pakistan has also continued diplomatic engagement with regional countries, seeking to prevent its defence commitments from contributing to a wider military confrontation.