Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Strengthen Strategic Military Cooperation at GHQ
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their commitment to expanding strategic military cooperation during a high-level meeting at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that Saudi Armed Forces Chief of General Staff (CGS) General Fayyadh Bin Hameed Al Rowaili met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Monday. Both sides agreed on the importance of deepening defence ties, secur-ity coordination and counter-terr0r collaboration.
High-Level Meeting Focuses on Strategic Coordination
General Al Rowaili received a guard of honour on his arrival at GHQ and laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada before meeting the COAS. The two leaders discussed matters of shared interest and highlighted the need to strengthen longstanding defence cooperation. They also stressed the importance of enhancing training exchanges, operational planning and joint initiatives that support regional stability.
During the meeting, the Saudi CGS praised Pakistan’s support to the Saudi Armed Forces across multiple fields. He expressed his commitment to expanding bilateral collaboration and acknowledged the professionalism of Pakistan’s military institutions. Field Marshal Asim Munir reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to continue playing a key role in strengthening the defence partnership.
Background: Momentum from the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement
In September, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA), which significantly elevated the bilateral defence relationship. The pact states that an att@ck on either nation will be considered an act of aggression against both. Signed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the agreement marked a major milestone in regional secur-ity cooperation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar later stated that several Arab and Muslim countries expressed interest in joining similar arrangements. Speaking in the National Assembly, he suggested that the pact could evolve into a broader Eastern-style defence coalition if more nations participate. He added that Pakistan is poised to emerge as a leading voice among the 57 Islamic countries.
Growing Defence Partnership and Regional Outlook
The meeting at GHQ signals the continued strengthening of Pakistan–Saudi defence ties. With both nations prioritising secur-ity cooperation, training development and counter-terr0r efforts, the partnership is expected to grow further in the coming months. The emphasis on strategic coordination also reflects the changing regional environment, where military alliances are becoming increasingly significant.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia remain key partners in defence cooperation, and their shared vision for regional stability continues to shape the strategic landscape. The latest engagement between senior military leaders reinforces their commitment to long-term collaboration rooted in mutual trust and shared objectives.
