Pakistan’s Inaction Raises Doubts Over Strategic Defence Commitments to Saudi Arabia

Despite recent attacks on Saudi Arabia by Iran amid escalating tensions in West Asia, Pakistan has refrained from deploying significant forces to support Riyadh under the bilateral defence agreement, raising concerns about the practical scope of the pact, according to a report published Tuesday.

The Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between Islamabad and Riyadh, signed recently, is designed to reinforce long-standing military cooperation. The pact stipulates that if either nation faces an external threat, the other will provide military support with available resources. However, the current crisis has highlighted the complexities inherent in fulfilling such commitments, the report noted.

Fatima El Hashimi, a Moroccan researcher and journalist, wrote in Spain-based media outlet Atalayar that Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir directly communicated with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, informing him that Islamabad cannot deploy troops at this stage. Pakistan is prioritising security along its Afghan border, she said, which has emerged as a national security imperative.

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Diplomatic sources cited in the report suggest that Saudi officials are closely monitoring developments along Pakistan’s border. Some view Islamabad’s restraint as indicative of limited capacity or willingness for external intervention, even as Riyadh confronts significant security challenges. The situation, analysts say, reflects Pakistan’s longstanding practice of balancing alliances to maximise economic, military, and diplomatic benefits.

Historically, Pakistan has maintained strategic relationships with global powers including the United States, China, and Gulf monarchies, acting as a key partner while safeguarding its own interests. The report emphasised that in times of crisis, defence pledges are tested not merely by written agreements but by the tangible capacity and willingness to act.

While Saudi Arabia seeks concrete military assistance, Pakistan has largely relied on mediation and diplomatic engagement rather than direct intervention. Analysts note that Islamabad’s renewed military focus on the Afghan border has attracted global attention, raising questions about whether its decisions are driven solely by security imperatives or also by broader geopolitical calculations. The episode underscores the challenges and credibility concerns inherent in strategic defence alliances in an increasingly uncertain region.

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