Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Sign Historic Mutual Defense Pact

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a formal mutual defense pact, pledging to come to each other’s aid in the event of external aggression.

“The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both,” read a statement from the office of Pakistan’s Prime Minister.

The pact was finalized just days after Israel carried out strikes on Qatar, raising fresh concerns about security in the Gulf region. Analysts say the move underscores growing unease among Middle Eastern nations about the reliability of their traditional security arrangements with the United States.

The agreement is being described as historic, marking a new era of cooperation at a time when Israeli military actions in the Gulf have increased.

This is the kind of unity many across the region have been praying for. It should not end with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan alone, but be extended to all Middle Eastern states. Arab leaders must put aside their differences and build a collective defense structure similar to NATO—standing by one another as true neighbors, rather than relying on outsiders whose interests may not always align with theirs.