Pakistan-Saudi Defence Pact Is Strictly Defensive, DG ISPR Says in CNN Interview
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has said that the country’s defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia is longstanding and that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is intended to strengthen regional security rather than pursue offensive military objectives.
In remarks from an interview with US broadcaster CNN released on Friday, October 9, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation in the conflict involving the United States and Iran.
Pakistan’s Military Presence in Saudi Arabia Is Not New
Lieutenant General Chaudhry said Pakistani military personnel have served in Saudi Arabia in different capacities and professional fields for several decades.
He explained that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement should not be viewed as an alliance formed suddenly in response to recent regional developments.
Instead, he described it as part of an established security relationship between the two countries.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained extensive defence ties, including military training, technical cooperation and security coordination.
The spokesperson emphasised that the agreement builds on this existing relationship.
Defence Pact Will Remain Defensive, DG ISPR Says
Addressing how the agreement would operate, Lieutenant General Chaudhry said its implementation and consequences would be defensive in nature.
He explained that operational commanders would determine which military units might be deployed, how they would be assigned and what responsibilities they would undertake.
The spokesperson described the agreement as a mechanism for strengthening collective security against potential threats.
He also outlined its mutual-defence principle, under which an attack against one participating country would be treated as an attack against all.
However, he said the agreement was not designed to identify particular countries as enemies or allies.
Its central objective, he emphasised, was to ensure Saudi Arabia’s defence.
Pakistan Calls for Regional Stability
Lieutenant General Chaudhry said new security challenges had emerged across the Middle East in recent years.
He argued that stronger collective defence arrangements could discourage potential attacks by increasing the consequences for those considering military action.
The spokesperson characterised the Makkah agreement as a stabilising measure intended to prevent threats rather than encourage confrontation.
His remarks come amid heightened security concerns across the Gulf region, where military tensions have affected regional stability and international trade.
Islamabad Reaffirms Role in US-Iran Peace Efforts
Turning to the US-Iran conflict, Lieutenant General Chaudhry said Pakistan had previously worked to reduce tensions and would continue supporting efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement.
He described Pakistan’s involvement in ceasefire diplomacy as impartial and focused on regional peace.
The spokesperson said Islamabad had communicated to its partners that expanding the conflict would serve no country’s interests.
He reiterated Pakistan’s preference for dialogue and a peaceful resolution of disagreements.
Military Cooperation and Diplomacy Remain Separate Priorities
The interview presented Pakistan’s regional approach as combining security cooperation with diplomatic engagement.
While Islamabad remains committed to defending Saudi Arabia under the agreement, the military spokesperson maintained that Pakistan also wants to prevent the US-Iran confrontation from spreading.
The comments did not disclose specific troop deployments, operational plans or new military missions under the pact.
The central message was that Pakistan intends to maintain its defence commitments while continuing diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East.
