Pakistan and Saudi Arabia strengthened their military cooperation by signing a historic defense agreement last September. This agreement, led by General Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, is designed to enhance the security of both countries and create necessary investments for Pakistan. In exchange for receiving billions of dollars in investment and loans from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan committed to training Saudi military forces and also agreed to defend Saudi Arabia in the event of an attack on the country.
Changing Security Conditions in the Middle East
However, initial predictions of reduced tensions in U.S.-Iran relations quickly turned into a different reality. With the onset of U.S. and Israeli bombings against Iran and Tehran's retaliatory response, the situation in the Middle East became extremely tense. These developments led to a resurgence of conflicts with the Houthis in Yemen and a resumption of attacks on Saudi Arabia. This situation could place Pakistan in a difficult position.
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Analysts believe that if Saudi Arabia decides to activate its defense agreement with Pakistan, Islamabad will be compelled to send its forces. Pakistan, which is heavily reliant on Saudi economic support, is currently facing internal economic and security challenges. The country has recently received $8 billion from Saudi Arabia, indicating its deep economic dependence.
Domestic Concerns and Potential Consequences
While Pakistani officials have pointed to their strong support for this agreement, there are deeper concerns at the domestic level. Defense activists and analysts believe that if Pakistan enters another war in the region, the country will face serious problems. Pakistan is currently dealing with an unofficial war in Afghanistan and increasing terrorist threats at its borders.
Moreover, activating the defense agreement could be seen as a sign of Pakistan's positioning against Iran. Pakistan's historical relations and good ties with Iran have been severely damaged due to recent tensions and attacks. There is a possibility that military cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia could seriously affect this country's relations with Iran.
At present, it is difficult to predict what factor could lead to the activation of this agreement. Analysts believe that Pakistan hopes Saudi Arabia will not enter into a war with Iran without U.S. support. For this reason, it is essential for Pakistan to strive to stay away from military conflicts and instead focus on diplomacy and dialogue.
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