KEY POINTS
- Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in Riyadh.
- The pact states that an attack on either country will be considered an attack on both.
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Prime Minister Sharif at Al-Yamamah Palace.
- Both leaders reviewed bilateral ties and regional issues during official talks.
- The agreement strengthens defence cooperation and joint deterrence.
- PM Sharif received full royal protocol, including a guard of honour and Saudi Air Force jet escort.
- The deal comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East after Israeli strikes on Doha.
RIYADH: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday signed a landmark “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement”, pledging that any act of aggression against either country will be treated as an attack on both. The pact, signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh, aims to boost defence cooperation, strengthen joint deterrence, and deepen the historic partnership between the two nations.
At the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister Sharif paid a state visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
The Saudi Crown Prince received PM Sharif at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. Both sides held an official session of talks in the presence of both countries’ delegations, according to a joint statement issued by Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office after the meeting.
During the meeting, PM Sharif conveyed his greetings and warm wishes to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The two sides reviewed the historic and strategic relations between both countries, and a number of topics of common interest, according to the joint statement.
📹 | سمو #ولي_العهد ورئيس وزراء جمهورية باكستان الإسلامية يعقدان جلسة مباحثات رسمية.
pic.twitter.com/jKJDQuARhS— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) September 17, 2025
“Building on the historic partnership extending for nearly eight decades between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and based on the bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity, as well as shared strategic interests and close defence cooperation between the two countries, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister and His Excellency Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed the ‘Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement’”, the joint statement stated.
سمو #ولي_العهد ورئيس وزراء جمهورية باكستان الإسلامية يوقعان على اتفاقية الدفاع الإستراتيجي المشترك. pic.twitter.com/I7SyDb9QlL
— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) September 17, 2025
Pakistan-Saudi Defence Cooperation
This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieve security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression, the joint statement read.
“The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both,” according to the official statement.
On the occasion, PM Sharif expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the “warm welcome and generous hospitality” extended to him and his accompanying delegation.
The Prime Minister also conveyed his best wishes for the continued well-being of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the continued progress and prosperity for the brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In turn, the Saudi Crown Prince extended his warm wishes for the good health and well-being of Prime Minister Sharif, and for further progress and prosperity for the brotherly people of Pakistan.
Red Carpet Welcome
Earlier, Prime Minister Sharif arrived at Riyadh’s Yamama Palace for a meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince on issues of bilateral interest.
The two countries have long shared a multifaceted relationship rooted in mutual economic interests, strategic military cooperation, and shared Islamic heritage. These ties have encompassed economic assistance and energy supplies, with Riyadh being a significant source of financial aid and oil for Islamabad.
📹 | سمو #ولي_العهد يستقبل في الديوان الملكي بقصر اليمامة رئيس وزراء جمهورية باكستان الإسلامية، ويقيم مراسم استقبال رسمية لدولته.
— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) September 17, 2025
The agreement comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Israel’s escalating military actions drawing strong condemnation from Arab and Islamic countries. Last week, Israeli airstrikes hit Qatar’s capital Doha, targeting Hamas mediators who were discussing a ceasefire proposal presented by US President Donald Trump.
The attack prompted an emergency Arab-Islamic leaders’ summit in Doha, attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He was also accompanied by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and a high-level delegation. Leaders from across the region attended the summit, where a collective response to Israeli aggression was discussed.
During the summit, Prime Minister Sharif proposed the creation of a joint Arab-Islamic task force to counter Israel’s aggressions. On the sidelines of the summit, PM Sharif also held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discussed the regional security situation.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Sharif was welcomed by the Saudi Crown Prince and presented with a guard of honour.
Upon arrival at the royal palace, Qasr Al-Yamamah, in Riyadh, Shehbaz Sharif was welcomed with full royal protocol, including a mounted guard of honour. At the royal court, Mohammed bin Salman personally received him, and the Saudi armed forces also presented a guard of honour.
Earlier, the Prime Minister was accorded a warm welcome by F-15 fighter jets of the Saudi Air Force and escorted his plane as it entered Saudi airspace.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud for the gracious aerial welcome extended by the Royal Saudi Air Force.
Pakistani flags were hoisted across the city to mark the visit. Shehbaz was greeted with a 21-gun salute, while a contingent of the Saudi armed forces presented a guard of honour.
Sharif met the Saudi Crown Prince on the sidelines of the emergency Arab-Islamic summit on Monday in Doha. The summit was convened in a show of support for Qatar after Israel carried out airstrikes in Doha on Sept. 9, in its attempt to target Hamas leaders there.
The Pakistani premier assured the Saudi crown prince of Islamabad’s “all out” diplomatic support, particularly at the United Nations Security Council and other diplomatic fora, against Israel’s military operations in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia remains the largest source of foreign remittances to Pakistan, with over 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates living and working in the Kingdom. These remittances play a critical role in sustaining Pakistan’s $350 billion economy.
Prime Minister Sharif has made several visits to Saudi Arabia since assuming office, underscoring the importance of bilateral ties.
During a visit in October 2024, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed 34 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements valued at $2.8 billion.
These agreements focused on enhancing private sector collaboration and expanding commercial partnerships between the two countries.
