Following the signing of a landmark defense pact in Riyadh last month during Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit, Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia has hailed his country’s close security ties with Saudi Arabia, affirming the deep, historical connection between the two nations.
Ambassador Ahmad Farooq, Pakistan’s ambassador to the Kingdom, emphasized the enduring nature of the relationship in an interview with Arab News, stating: “Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share longstanding and historic brotherly ties, rooted in our shared faith, common culture, and deep people-to-people connections.”
Formalizing a Decades-Old Partnership
The newly signed Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement serves as a powerful formalization of their robust relationship. Farooq described the pact as a “natural continuation of this enduring fraternal bond.”
He highlighted the core objectives of the agreement: “It reflects our shared commitment to enhancing security, promoting peace in the region and beyond, and developing closer defense cooperation.” The Ambassador stressed its importance for regional stability, noting: “Importantly, it also strengthens our joint capacity for deterrence against any aggression.”
Under the terms of the agreement, the two nations have vowed to protect each other’s sovereignty, and declared that “aggression against one country would be treated as an attack on both.”
Ambassador Farooq asserted: “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.”
Brotherhood and Comprehensive Cooperation
The agreement builds on the partnership between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and is based on the bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity, as well as shared strategic interests and close defense cooperation between the two countries.
Reflecting the sentiment surrounding the pact, The Kingdom Tower, a prominent landmark in Riyadh, was illuminated with the flags of both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan following the signing of the defense agreement.
Beyond the defense sphere, the economic relationship remains highly robust. The Ambassador confirmed that “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 added that “The bilateral relations are unique, enduring, and multifaceted. The leadership of the two countries shares a common vision to take it to new heights. The relationship lives in the hearts of the people of the two countries.”
The relationship, which was established in 1947 when Saudi Arabia became one of the first countries to recognize Pakistan, has evolved into a comprehensive partnership spanning diplomatic, economic, and military spheres. This bond was formally cemented by a Treaty of Friendship in 1951.
The socio-economic ties deepened significantly from the 1970s to the 1980s, a period that saw a substantial migration of Pakistani workers to the Kingdom. It is estimated that the Kingdom is home to over 2 million Pakistanis, who have played a critical role in the development of the country’s infrastructure and modernization efforts.
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