Key points
- Partnership promotes self-reliance in defence capabilities
- Initiative aims to reduce dependence on Western powers
- Agreement envisions Arab-Islamic NATO for regional security
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have entered into a landmark joint defence agreement that marks a significant shift in regional and international alliances. This partnership goes beyond traditional military ties and proposes a vision for self-reliance in defence capabilities, integrating Arab funding with Pakistani and Islamic military expertise.
The agreement, established following a US refusal to intervene after an Israeli strike on Qatar, aims to foster independence from Western powers. Pakistan, a nuclear-armed country with extensive military expertise, serves as a key partner in building a joint military-industrial base, enhancing Arab and Islamic security. Saudi Arabia, with its vast financial and logistical resources, provides the necessary support to ensure the success of this initiative, reports Jordan News.
This shift reflects a growing realisation among Arab and Islamic leaders that reliance on Western powers has not led to the desired stability. For decades, the region has depended on the US and European security umbrellas, only to face political instability and double standards.
Arab-Islamic NATO
The agreement also envisions an Arab-Islamic NATO, designed to address regional threats, combat terrorism, and tackle cyberwarfare. In addition to its military focus, this initiative aims to create a unified Arab-Islamic economic market, promoting trade, investment, and economic integration, reducing dependence on Western markets.
The strategic partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia sends a strong message that the Islamic world can forge alliances independently. It signals a new era of political and economic autonomy, with a focus on self-reliance in military and economic development.
Despite potential challenges, including resistance from Western powers and internal divisions within the Islamic states, this initiative offers a rare historic opportunity. The Saudi-Pakistani partnership could pave the way for broader alliances with countries like Turkiye, Malaysia, and Egypt, forming a powerful defence and economic bloc in a multipolar world.
