Riyadh (TDI): In conversation with Arab News, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Farooq, said that the recently concluded defense agreement between his country and Saudi Arabia is a “natural continuation” of security ties.
“The Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement further formalizes the decades-old, robust defense partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. It will contribute to regional peace, security, and long-term stability,” the envoy said.
He referred to factors like a history of brotherly relations, common faith, regular interaction and cultural exchange between people, as well as formal government-to-government level collaborations for culminating into the next stage of mutual defense.
“The bilateral relations are unique, enduring, and multifaceted. The leadership of the two countries shares a common vision to take it to new heights,” ambassador Farooq noted.
“The relationship lives in the hearts of the people of the two countries. The positive trajectory in defense cooperation is a continuation of a decades-old defense partnership,” he added.
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Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement on September 17, at a time when Israel’s attack on Doha sent a wave of insecurity among Arab and Gulf countries.
Both countries, however, ruled out the possibility of this agreement having any connection with Israel’s illegal attack on Qatar. But security analysts are convinced that the timing of this pact matters.
The pact provides for mutual deterrence, where an attack on one country will be considered an attack on the other, and hence both countries will jointly respond.
The Pakistani envoy further told Arab News that the economic cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia remains “dynamic” alongside this new upgrade in the defense and security ties.
“Economic cooperation … remains dynamic and is continuing on a positive trajectory. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy a long and distinguished history of brotherhood and cooperation,” he said.
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