Pakistan has confirmed the deployment of its military forces to Saudi Arabia as part of a joint defence agreement, underscoring a new phase of regional security collaboration. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Sajjad Haider Khan, stated that the personnel are stationed in Riyadh to bolster Saudi Arabia’s territorial defence. He emphasized that this deployment is not aimed at supporting cross-border military operations against Yemen’s Houthi forces but is focused on protecting Saudi territory.
The presence of Pakistani forces in Saudi Arabia is carried out under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye signed on August 7, 2026. This pact commits the signatories to view an armed attack against any member as an attack against all, thereby fostering tighter regional security ties.
Pakistan’s military has acknowledged that its forces are engaged in various operational roles within Saudi Arabia as part of this agreement. By strengthening these defence ties, the countries involved are looking to enhance their collective security measures in a region marked by ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions.
The move reflects a strategic alignment between the three nations as they seek to address mutual security concerns. This development comes at a time when regional alliances are increasingly pivotal to maintaining stability and addressing threats that transcend borders.
While the specifics of the deployment, such as the number of personnel and the exact nature of their duties, remain undisclosed, the emphasis on non-combat roles reinforces the defensive nature of the Pakistani military’s presence in Saudi Arabia. This aligns with the broader objective of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement to create a unified front against potential threats to any of the member states.