Riyadh: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have formalized a strategic mutual defense agreement, marking a significant development in the defense cooperation between the two nations. The agreement was signed during a meeting held in Riyadh, as reported by the state news agency SPA.

According to Anadolu Agency, the joint statement highlighted that the agreement underscores the shared commitment of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to bolster their security and contribute to peace in the region and beyond. The pact is designed to enhance defense collaboration and establish a framework for joint deterrence against aggression, asserting that an attack on one would be viewed as an attack on both.

The Pakistani Prime Minister's visit to Riyadh for the signing event was noted as being of an unspecified duration. This agreement arrives in the context of heightened regional tensions, following an Israeli strike in Doha that resulted in the death of five Hamas members and a Qatari officer. The attack occurred amidst mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the US for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel.

Israel's military actions have expanded this year, including operations against Iran, Lebanon, and Syria, alongside an ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank. The situation in Gaza is particularly dire, with reports indicating over 65,000 Palestinian casualties, predominantly women and children, since October 2023. The devastation has led to severe humanitarian crises, making the region nearly uninhabitable.