PAKISTAN – Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense pact on Wednesday which signals the strengthening of relationship between the 2 nations.

The agreement signed after the joint session between the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) states that if one nation is attacked, it shall be considered an aggression against both nations.

“This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieving security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression,” a joint statement said.

A Pakistani official was quoted saying that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have been engaged in a defense cooperation for a long time, and their diplomatic relations have always remained strong; however, with this agreement, the relationship has been shifted to a qualitatively different place.

“At this point, it is clear that Pakistan has taken up the role of a security provider, not just for Saudi Arabia but for the Middle East,” the official added.

The official said that after the Qatari attack by Israel, Arab countries have started to seek security guarantees elsewhere since the United State’s role “as a security guarantor has come under scrutiny as of late, and its credibility has been severely damaged.”

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Relationship History

Cooperation between the two states in the area of defense dates back to 1967 and deepened after the 1979 Grand Mosque seizure, when Pakistani special forces helped Saudi troops reclaim Masjid al-Haram.

In 1982, the two sides institutionalized security ties through a Bilateral Security Cooperation Agreement that enabled Pakistani training, advisory support and deployments on Saudi soil. At times, as many as 20,000 Pakistani troops were stationed in the kingdom, and Saudi Arabia became a key purchaser of Pakistani-made arms.

In recent years, the partnership has gained urgency amid regional instability. In February, a meeting of the Joint Military Cooperation Committee in Riyadh pledged to expand training and exchanges.