Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan's Defense Minister, announced during his visit to Rome that his country will make its military capabilities available to Riyadh based on a new joint defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey. This indicates Pakistan's commitment to defending Saudi Arabia and the close cooperation among these three countries.
Details of the Joint Defense Agreement
Asif did not elaborate on the details of this agreement during his visit but explicitly stated that Pakistan is committed to defending Saudi Arabia and that any means available to his country will also be made available to Saudi Arabia. These remarks came after a meeting of the chiefs of staff of the armies of Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, where discussions were held on how to respond to attacks from Yemen.
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Emphasis on Support for Saudi Arabia
Pakistan's Defense Minister also refrained from confirming the participation of Pakistani forces in potential airstrikes against Yemen and did not answer whether Saudi Arabia has requested assistance from Islamabad. This comes as Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, the spokesperson for the Pakistan Army, previously stated that his country would do "whatever it can" to defend Saudi Arabia and that Islamabad's commitment to Riyadh is "unconditional."
Chaudhry also emphasized that Pakistan supports Riyadh "diplomatically and practically" and is prepared to proceed "to the maximum extent possible" if needed. This new approach by Pakistan as an Islamic country and neighbor to Saudi Arabia could have profound implications for regional dynamics.
Regional Implications of this Agreement
The joint defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia comes at a time when Yemen is embroiled in a civil war and frequent attacks on Saudi Arabia. This agreement could serve as a deterrent against threats from Yemen while also impacting Pakistan's relations with other countries in the region. Given recent developments, this military cooperation could help strengthen Saudi Arabia's position against external threats.
Ultimately, this agreement represents new changes in Pakistan's defense policies and the country's efforts to play a more effective role in regional security. Considering the existing security challenges and rapid developments in the Middle East, Pakistan seems to be striving to enhance its position in these dynamics.
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