Written by: Zeeshan Jameel
In 2025, when Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a security and defense agreement, Pakistan’s special military circles believed that thru this agreement, they would revive their previous deals with the cash they would receive. However, the facts revealed in 2026 showed that this formula had completely failed. Some Pakistani sources have admitted that this agreement has now turned into a “strategic headache and nuisance” for them; because neither did Saudi Arabia invest as Pakistan had hoped, nor could Pakistan’s presence prevent Iranian attacks on Saudi facilities. This situation made it clear that this agreement turned into just a paper burden instead of a security shield.
The most secretive and malicious aspect of this security pact was that the Pakistani military circles wanted to use Saudi Arabia’s financial and political influence as a weapon against their neighbors, particularly Afghanistan and India. Islamabad was trying to hide under Saudi Arabia’s security shadow and continue its interventions and aggressions in the region by exploiting an agreement with another country. Their goal was to embroil Saudi Arabia in such a conflict that would justify Pakistan’s interventions in the future stability of Afghanistan and against India’s military power. However, this calculation was flawed because Saudi Arabia itself is facing security threats to its survival, and Pakistan’s nefarious objectives have been thwarted.
Current signs indicate that Saudi Arabia is seriously displeased and regretful about this agreement; because Pakistan has only opted for cautious diplomacy in the practical field. When Saudi Arabia faced a threat in the Gulf, Pakistan settled for symbolic diplomatic contacts and statements instead of an active military role, merely to absolve itself of blame. This conservatism has led Saudi Arabia to doubt Pakistan’s military capability and loyalty. Saudi officials have now realized that Pakistan is only eyeing their treasury, but when it comes to military defense, Pakistan excuses itself under the pretext of neutrality or mediation.
On the other hand, this agreement has turned into a major headache within Pakistan as well. Unlike financial aid, Saudi Arabia has opted for extending previous loans instead of new investments. The dream of Pakistan’s military regime that it would receive billions of dollars in new investments in exchange for this deal has been dashed. Now that Pakistan’s efforts have practically failed and, on the other hand, there have been attacks on Saudi territory and they hope that Pakistan will help, Pakistani officials feel trapped in a snare that only has risks, but its benefit is nearly zero. This is the logical outcome of a deal based on extortion.
The Pakistani military circles, who wanted to use Saudi Arabia as a tool in their regional rivalries, have now themselves fallen victim to Saudi Arabia’s distrust. Their plan to supposedly bring Saudi Arabia into the battlefield in favor of Pakistan during a crisis with Afghanistan and India has been thwarted due to their own weak defense commitments. Saudi Arabia now prefers to reach an understanding with other regional powers and even its former rivals instead of Pakistan, as they have realized that military support from Pakistan is merely a “commercial slogan” that holds no value during a crisis.
The Saudi-Pakistan defense agreement, instead of becoming a strategic opportunity for both countries, has turned into a major quagmire of distrust. Pakistan, which sought to threaten its neighboring countries with this agreement and exploit Saudi wealth, is now in a situation where it has neither gained financial benefit nor maintained Saudi credibility. Relationships built on treachery and betrayal cannot withstand the severe waves of crisis. Saudi Arabia is now facing the betrayal of a partner who only advances a show of politics in exchange for cash.
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