President, PM congratulate Riyadh on Saudi National Day

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif extended heartfelt congratulations to the Saudi leadership and its people on the occasion of Saudi National Day, praising the deep and enduring bond between the two nations, on Tuesday.

President Zardari highlighted the spiritual connection deepened by the presence of Islam's two holiest sites in the Kingdom. He also noted that the partnership in defence and security is a vital step towards regional peace.

PM Shehbaz reaffirmed that the historical ties of mutual trust and brotherhood will always remain strong.

This sentiment was formally cemented into a landmark ‘Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA)’ signed on September 17, 2025, at the Al Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.

The agreement aims to “strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression,” stating that an attack on either country will be considered an attack on both. This formalises a defence relationship that has been decades in the making.

Read: Pak-Saudi defence pact: an old brotherhood recast for a dangerous age

The pact is the culmination of a partnership that began with a 1951 Treaty of Friendship. Since the 1970s, Pakistani soldiers have been stationed in Saudi Arabia for the sacred duty of protecting the Holy Sites.

Collaboration has included training Saudi military personnel in Pakistani institutions, joint exercises, and Pakistani support in key moments, such as the Al-Wadiah War in 1969.

The recent agreement is seen as a strategic response to a changing regional security landscape. Analysts suggest that recent instability and the perceived threats from an assertive Israel have created an urgency for such a formal, NATO-style arrangement.

Read more: Pakistan, KSA sign defence pact

The pact integrates Pakistan’s military capabilities with Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic and financial strength, creating a significant stabilising force in the region.

While specific operational details remain confidential, the agreement is expected to involve enhanced cooperation in training, defence production, and strategic planning.

Also read: Riyadh expects Delhi to understand kingdom's security needs

The agreement is a defensive framework that secures the national interests of both nations, promising a new era of collective security and deeper bilateral ties.