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Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s relationship dates back to 1943, even before Pakistan’s independence. Since then, the two brotherly nations have maintained deep political, military, and economic ties. Pakistan helped build Saudi Arabia’s Royal Air Force in the 1960s, provided security during regional conflicts, and sent military advisers and trainers to the Kingdom. In return, Saudi Arabia has repeatedly supported Pakistan financially, from King Abdulaziz’s donation to Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s campaign during the Bengal famine to funding major projects after independence, aiding during the Soviet–Afghan War, and supplying free oil after the nuclear sanctions. The recent Saudi–Pakistan Defense Cooperation Agreement (SMDA) is a natural extension of this long-standing partnership.
Looking into the history of Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations reveals a long thread of friendly and generous exchanges. This also raises the question of why this defense pact took place now and not earlier. To answer that, we first need to understand the role of American influence in the region.
America’s involvement in the Middle East began after World War II and grew during the Cold War. It started as a mutually beneficial relationship: the United States needed Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to help contain communism and counter the Soviet Union, while ensuring a stable flow of oil. In return, Saudi Arabia sought American protection for its sovereignty against regional threats and possible Soviet expansion. The U.S. established military bases across the Gulf and defended pro-Western nations such as Kuwait during Iraq’s invasion in 1991. From a broader perspective, this is how American influence became deeply rooted in the region, positioning itself as a security provider for its allies. Until it's pet dog, Israel began acting beyond their control.
While America was “stabilizing” the Middle East, Israel gradually expanded its occupation of Palestine. After entering as refugees, Zionist groups established the state of Israel in 1948. With massive financial, military, and intelligence support from the U.S., Israel gained overwhelming power over the Palestinians, leading to mass killings, displacement, and the destruction of entire villages. By 1948, it had already occupied 78% of Palestinian land, expanded further in the 1960s, and took control of the remaining territories in the following decade. Despite global condemnation, Israel’s aggression continued. In 2005, Israel disengaged from Gaza, but the UN still recognized it as the occupying power. Then the Gaza Strip remained a question for the Zionists.
Zionists believe that the land was divinely promised to them. An American-Jewish researcher on the Palestine-Israel conflict states that “Zionists viewed extermination or displacement as a means to resolve the Gaza question”. Then came October 7, 2023, when Hamas retaliated against Israel. An event that gave Israel the pretext it had long sought to “resolve” the Gaza issue once and for all. Yet, despite years of brutal genocide of Palestinian people, killing more than 67,000 people, including more than 20,000 children, and 169,000 people injured to date. Israel failed to achieve its objectives. Its growing aggression, including strikes beyond Gaza, has increasingly destabilized the region and eroded trust in American control after repeated failed attempts by American administrations to tame Israel. This occurred when Israel forced America to attack Iran’s nuclear power. After that, America urged Israel to stop its aggression, but it finally hit one of America's very close allies (Qatar) in the Gulf. Don't forget that all of this is their plan for creating greater Israel in the Middle East.
This instability, largely triggered by Israel’s actions, has pushed Gulf nations, especially Saudi Arabia, to reconsider their security dependence on the United States. The new Saudi–Pakistani defense pact can be seen as a strategic response to this shifting balance of power and a desire for regional self-reliance in defense.
