Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has firmly rejected speculation that Pakistan is selling nuclear weapons to Saudi Arabia under the recently signed “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement.”
Speaking in an interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan for Zeteo, he stressed that Pakistan is a responsible state and clarified that its nuclear programme is not part of the pact.
The agreement, signed on September 17 by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations. It commits both countries to treat any attack on either as aggression against both, thereby reinforcing their decades-long security ties.
The pact was concluded just a week after Israeli strikes on Qatar, which heightened regional tensions and led to speculation about its timing and scope.
When asked if the deal was a direct response to the Israeli attack, Asif dismissed the notion, explaining that talks had been underway for a long time and that the agreement was not a knee-jerk reaction. He described it as a step that “formalised” an existing relationship, which had previously been more transactional in nature.
Addressing questions on whether Saudi Arabia was now under Pakistan’s so-called “nuclear umbrella,” the minister highlighted the depth of military cooperation between the two nations, spanning five to six decades. He noted that Pakistan has had a significant troop presence in Saudi Arabia in the past and continues to maintain a military presence there.
However, Asif refrained from disclosing sensitive details about the scope of the pact. “I won’t go into details, but it is a defence pact — and such agreements are generally not discussed publicly,” he said. His remarks aimed to dispel doubts, while underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to responsible defence diplomacy and regional stability.
