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On September 17, 2025, something big happened in the world of international relationships. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a special agreement called the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) in Riyadh. The main rule is simple but powerful: "Any attack on one country will be treated as an attack on both". This agreement covers "all military means," which experts believe could include Pakistan's nuclear weapons, though this part is not clearly written in the deal. Pakistan is the only Muslim country with nuclear weapons, making this partnership very significant.
This pact did not appear out of nowhere. The region has been tense, especially after Israeli strikes in Doha shook Gulf capitals and raised doubts about outside security guarantees. Riyadh has been rebalancing its defence options, and Islamabad remains a trusted partner with deep military links to the Kingdom going back decades. SMDA is the moment when those ties moved from quiet cooperation to a clear, written commitment. The deal makes Pakistan look more important on the world stage. It positions Pakistan as the protector of the Muslim world, especially because of its nuclear weapons.
It is very beneficial for both the countries. Pakistan gains a powerful friend in the Middle East. With China, Turkey, and now Saudi Arabia fully supporting Pakistan, the country is in a much stronger position against any threats. Saudi Arabia gains access to Pakistan's nuclear protection. This is like having a nuclear umbrella that could protect Saudi Arabia from threats. Saudi Arabia also gets access to Pakistan's large and experienced military, the military which has just shown a very mature and impressive behaviour against the Indian attack on May 2025. Pakistan has been training Saudi forces since the 1960s and currently has about 1,500-2,000 Pakistani soldiers stationed in Saudi Arabia. This military expertise helps Saudi Arabia build its own defense capabilities.
SMDA is in the end about a narrative about two long-time partners choosing clarity over ambiguity. It says: “We will plan together, deter together, and if needed, respond together.” In a fast-changing Middle East and South Asia, that simple message carries weight, in capitals, in barracks, and in markets — because it raises the opportunity to create more stable future and to change the regional power dynamics.
Saeed Zafar
Critical Thinking Batch-3
