The military leadership of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Friday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation under the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA).
According to a statement from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Chief of General Staff (CGS) Lieutenant General Syed Aamer Raza met with Royal Saudi Armed Forces Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh Bin Hameed Al-Rowaily in Riyadh to discuss matters of mutual strategic interest and enhancing interoperability between the two militaries.
The ISPR communique emphasized that both sides reiterated their dedication to deepening the longstanding fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, contributing to regional peace, stability, and self-reliance.
The SMDA, signed on September 17 by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, stipulates that an attack on either country will be treated as an act of aggression against both nations, underscoring the strength of the security partnership.
The bilateral meetings also included a special session of the Pakistan-KSA Bilateral Defence Industrial Forum in Riyadh, where CGS Raza led Pakistan’s tri-services delegation and Assistant Minister of Defence for Executive Affairs Khalid Al Biyari headed the Saudi side.
During the session, both parties reviewed ongoing defence cooperation projects and explored new opportunities for joint ventures in emerging technologies.
CGS Raza reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the capacity building of the Saudi defence forces, highlighting Islamabad’s role in enhancing regional security.
In response, the Saudi leadership praised Pakistan’s achievements and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and emphasized the significance of Pakistan’s contributions to regional peace and stability.
The meetings signal a continued deepening of Pakistan–Saudi strategic and defence ties, reflecting decades of collaboration. Both nations underscored their shared objectives of maintaining stability in the region while expanding cooperation in defence technology, industrial collaboration, and military readiness, solidifying their mutual commitment under the SMDA framework.
