Pakistan vows nuclear capabilities available in defence of Saudi Arabia

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has confirmed that the country’s nuclear capabilities would “absolutely” be available under the new strategic mutual defence agreement signed with Saudi Arabia, while emphasising that the arrangement is “purely defensive” in nature.

The landmark pact was signed on September 17 in Riyadh by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Speaking to Pakistan’s Geo News on September 18, Asif described the agreement as an “umbrella” pact: “If either country is attacked, we will respond jointly.” He underlined that the deal reflects the two nations’ shared commitment to regional and global peace and aims to expand defence cooperation while strengthening deterrence.

A joint statement following the ceremony declared: “Any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.”

Asif stressed that the agreement does not target any specific country. “We did not name anyone, but whoever commits aggression will face a united response. This is a defensive agreement,” he said.

Asked whether Saudi Arabia would benefit from Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella, Asif responded: “What we have, our capabilities, will absolutely be available under this pact.” He further emphasised that Pakistan, which carried out its first nuclear tests in 1998, is a “responsible nuclear power” whose status “has never been challenged.”

On whether Washington was consulted, the minister dismissed the idea, saying there was “no ground or justification” to involve a third party: “This is not a hegemonic arrangement but a defensive pact, while the US itself has such treaties with many countries. It is our fundamental right to defend ourselves. We have no intention of occupying anyone else’s land.”

Asif added that while it was too early to discuss other countries joining such a framework, Pakistan’s “doors are open.” He also pointed to shifting global power balances: “In the coming times, China will lead the world. Personally, I believe people are now looking to China.”

According to a Saudi official cited by the Financial Times, Riyadh and Islamabad had been negotiating the agreement for over a year, building on “a two-to-three-year conversation.” The official said: “We hope it will reinforce our deterrence — aggression against one is aggression against the other. This is a comprehensive defence agreement that will utilise all defensive and military means deemed necessary, depending on the specific threat.”

Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman echoed the sentiment in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on September 18: “KSA and Pakistan.. One front against any aggressor.. Always and forever.”

By Tamilla Hasanova