(image credit: DAWN)
For decades, Pakistan was told it was isolated, a state on the margins of global decision-making. Yet history has a way of confounding those who underestimate us. The newly signed Saudi–Pakistan Mutual Defence Pact is proof that the strategic tide is turning, and it is turning in Pakistan’s favour.
From Dependency to Diversification
For most of the last half-century, Saudi Arabia relied almost exclusively on the United States for its security guarantees. American power underwrote Gulf stability, from the oil routes of the 1980s to the wars in Iraq. But Washington today is preoccupied with Europe and the Pacific, and its willingness to defend Riyadh is no longer taken as gospel.
Saudi Arabia has responded by diversifying. And in this diversification, it has turned not to distant powers, but to Islamabad — a nuclear-armed state, a proven military partner, and a country with deep historical, religious, and human ties to the Kingdom.
Why Pakistan?
The answer lies in credibility. Pakistan’s armed forces are not theoretical; they are tested. From counterinsurgency to conventional warfare, their professionalism and discipline have earned global recognition. Unlike many militaries in the region, the Pakistan Army and Air Force function with cohesion and competence.
The pact with Saudi Arabia is not an act of charity; it is a recognition of capability. Riyadh has made a hard-headed calculation: when deterrence is needed, Pakistan is a partner that can deliver.
What This Means for Pakistan
The significance for Islamabad is threefold:
Strategic Leverage: An attack on Pakistan is now, by treaty, an attack on Saudi Arabia. That enhances deterrence against adventurism, particularly from across the eastern border.
Economic Openings: Defence cooperation often leads to deeper economic engagement. With Saudi Arabia’s investment capital and Pakistan’s workforce, new opportunities in energy, technology, and infrastructure could follow.
Diplomatic Weight: Pakistan’s voice will carry greater resonance in the Middle East, positioning it as a bridge between South Asia and the Gulf.
This is not simply about military clauses on paper. It is about Pakistan moving from the periphery of international relations to the centre of a new regional equation.
Managing the Moment Wisely
But opportunity also demands discipline. The pact should not tempt Pakistan into overextension or reckless commitments. Our leaders must ensure that cooperation with Riyadh strengthens national security without draining resources or entangling us in conflicts beyond our means. Strategic patience, not strategic bravado, will determine whether this agreement becomes a cornerstone or a liability.
The Changing Tide
Critics may dismiss this as symbolic. Yet symbols often foreshadow reality. Just as Pakistan’s quiet assistance in past Gulf crises cemented bonds with Riyadh, today’s pact marks a deeper convergence. The message is unmistakable: Pakistan is no longer viewed merely as a troubled frontline state but as a central player in the emerging security architecture of the Muslim world.
This is not the end of our struggles, but it is the beginning of a new phase. If Islamabad can combine military credibility with economic renewal and disciplined diplomacy, the tide that has begun to turn will not recede.
The world is watching. Riyadh has already made its choice. The question now is whether Pakistan can rise to meet the moment — not through rhetoric, but through the quiet strength of preparation and the steady wisdom of restraint.
