Darrier and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar said that the Historic Defense Pact of Pakistan with Saudi Arabia could open the way to similar agreements with other countries in the region, with interests already expressed by potential partners.
Addressing journalists in London on Friday, Dar said that some nations had expressed interest in forging strategic defense partnerships with Pakistan following the recently concluded agreement with Saudi Arabia.
“It is premature to say something, but after this evolution, other countries have also expressed the desire for similar provisions,” he noted. He added that such agreements are following an official process and recalled that the Saudi agreement itself took several months to finalize.
Calling the defense pact with Saudi Arabia a “historic stage”, Dar said that understanding that had long been an implicit expectation in Pakistan – protecting the kingdom and in particular the sacred character of Harmain Sharifain.
He added that the two countries were satisfied with the agreement and reiterated that Saudi Arabia had systematically supported Pakistan in times of crisis, especially in recent years in the midst of economic and geopolitical challenges.
Meanwhile, in an interview with the Arab media, the Minister of Defense Khawaja Asif confirmed that the agreement with Riyadh could be extended to include other Gulf nations, adding that the arrangement is planned to go beyond traditional bilateral cooperation. He described the pact as a reflection of mutual trust and a shared commitment to regional security.
Asif said that the agreement does not contain any secret clause and includes provisions for joint training and technical cooperation.
He said that the framework ensures collective security, where assault against a signatory is considered an assault against the other. “Given the increasingly tense global environment today, such agreements are essential,” he said.
He stressed that the countries of the Middle East must reduce dependence on foreign powers far away for their defense and strive to strengthen indigenous capacities.
“They must evolve towards autonomous nations with the ability to defend themselves,” he said, adding that if other Arab countries signal interest, Pakistan would be open to the extension of the pact beyond Saudi Arabia.
