Why has Pakistan confirmed troops in Saudi Arabia?

ISLAMABAD: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has confirmed that Pakistani troops are already stationed in Saudi Arabia and have maintained a presence there for decades.

Speaking in an interview with CNN correspondent Ivan Watson, the military spokesperson said Pakistani forces were present in the kingdom in several capacities.

“I can confirm that the forces of Pakistan are already there,” Lt Gen Chaudhry said.

He explained that the presence was not a new development linked solely to the recently formed Makkah Defence Alliance. According to him, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye have maintained longstanding diplomatic, political and military ties.

The ISPR chief said Pakistani forces were serving in Saudi Arabia across multiple domains. He added that the relationship between the three countries had developed over many years.

His remarks came days after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye agreed to move towards the practical implementation of collective defence arrangements under the Makkah Defence Alliance.

The three countries held an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee in Riyadh on Monday. The meeting focused on recent security developments and potential threats facing Saudi Arabia.

Following the meeting, the participating countries agreed to take steps for the rapid deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia. The arrangement is aimed at strengthening military readiness, coordination and collective defence.

The agreement comes amid continuing regional tensions and attacks linked to the conflict in Yemen.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who attended the Riyadh meeting as part of the Pakistani delegation, also discussed Pakistan’s military role in the region.

Speaking to a local television programme, Asif said Saudi forces were conducting combat operations while Turkish and Pakistani troops were playing supporting roles.

He said Pakistan was providing assistance, including reconnaissance, and would meet its commitments under the defence agreement.

Asif had earlier said Pakistan would stand by Saudi Arabia through both diplomatic and practical measures if the security situation escalated.

The Makkah Defence Alliance was signed on August 7 by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. The agreement seeks to strengthen collective deterrence and defence cooperation among the three countries.

Under the pact, the member states are committed to treating an attack against one member as a threat to all members, subject to the terms of the agreement and relevant national laws.