The recent formalisation of a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on 17th September 2025 marks a great shift in the Middle Eastern security dynamics. The pact signed in the Saudi capital Riyadh represents a pledge that any attack on either nation would be treated as an act of aggression against both. While traditionally, both nations observed strengthened relations in terms of trade and economy, this deal means that Islamabad and Riyadh are now exploring new avenues for cooperation in the defense sector. Saudi Arabia is economically stable, whereas Pakistan, on the other hand, is strategically important due to its conventional and nuclear capabilities; hence, the signing of this deal serves the interests of both sides.
The joint statement released by the Saudi Press Agency stated that this agreement reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and peace in the region. The mention of “joint deterrence against any aggression” in the statement also indicates the role of nuclear weapons in deterring potential threats emanating from other Middle Eastern powers, particularly Israel. While this deal could potentially serve the interests of both Islamic nations in the long run, its sustainability and credibility remain to be seen.
The timing of this deal is crucial to the discussion, as it occurred at a critical point. On 9th September 2025, Israel launched air strikes on a residential area in the Qatari capital, Doha, targeting Hamas’s leadership, who were meeting to discuss Trump’s ceasefire proposal. The top Hamas leaders survived the attack, but six others, including a Qatari security officer, were killed. The leadership in Doha decried the assault as “state terrorism”, promising to respond to the strikes, which it said “must not be overlooked”. The US, with the largest military base in the Middle East, located in Qatar, distanced itself from the attack, with President Trump saying the assassination attempt was not his decision and was out of his knowledge.
However, The Jerusalem Post released details of a report published by Axios on 15th September 2025, stating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed US President Donald Trump about Israel’s plan to attack Hamas leaders in Qatar before the attack was executed, citing a few Israeli officials. The White House has said it was notified only after missiles were in the air, giving Trump no opportunity to oppose the strike, but Axios reported, citing the Israeli officials, that “Trump knew about the strike before the missiles were launched. First, there was a discussion on the political level between Netanyahu and Trump, followed by one through military channels. Trump didn’t say no”. The US’s turning of a blind eye to Israel’s air strikes raised many questions in Doha, criticising the double standards of the US.
In the past two weeks, Israel targeted 6 Muslim nations, including Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen, with Qatar being the last. Following strikes on Doha, an emergency summit of Arab and Islamic country leaders was held in Doha, which condemned Israel’s attack on Hamas leaders. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)’s pledge to “activate a joint defense mechanism” may have been the most actionable result of the summit, which was opened by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Al Thani, who called the Israeli bombing “blatant, treacherous, and cowardly”. However, the GCC’s other participants, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, made no promises of concrete action.
The Saudi officials say the deal with Pakistan is not in response to specific events; however, in the absence of a GCC joint defense mechanism, protecting national security still requires alliances. In that context, the defence pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will prove essential for the security of the two sides.
Furthermore, the US’s refusal to have prior knowledge of Israeli attacks, despite having an extensive intelligence network in the region, sent a strong message to Gulf powers, which are dependent on American-made military equipment. It meant that national interests stand above all. Trump, who is known for keeping transactional relationships, has a strong connection with Israeli leadership, given the cooperation in the defense and economic sectors between the US and Israel. Therefore, the remaining Gulf powers have a note to take from the Pak-Saudi defense pact – nations that work together are safer, stronger, and more prosperous. Given this, there is a high possibility that this agreement will expand to include other Gulf powers as well in the future.
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