Pakistan-Saudi Arabia mutual defense pact: News & Discussion
- Thread starter Yasser76
- Start date
ghazi52
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
In meeting with air chief, Saudi defence leadership lauds Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace and stability
News DeskJanuary 8, 2026
Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu photographed alongside Royal Saudi Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Turki bin Bander bin Abdulaziz. — Screengrab via ISPR
Pakistan’s air chief met high-ranking Saudi defence officials, the military’s media affairs wing said on Thursday, adding that the latter appreciated Islamabad’s “constructive role” in promoting regional peace and stability.
A statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Pakistan Air Force Air (PAF) Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu called on Royal Saudi Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Turki bin Bander bin Abdulaziz and Saudi Armed Forces’ Chief of General Staff General Fayiadh bin Hameed Al-Rowaily during a visit to the kingdom.
“During the meetings, matters pertaining to bilateral defence cooperation, regional security environment and future avenues of collaboration were discussed,” it said.
It added that the Saudi defence leadership “praised the professionalism, operational excellence and combat readiness of [the] PAF and expressed strong interest in enhanced joint training and operational collaboration, particularly in the domain of multi-domain operations“.
“They also appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability,” it added.
“Both sides expressed satisfaction over the existing level of cooperation and agreed to further enhance engagement through joint training, operational collaboration and exchange of professional expertise, while highlighting the Pakistan–KSA Defence Agreement as a symbol of mutual trust and enduring brotherly relations,” the statement added.
It said ACM Sidhu highlighted during the exchanges the “historic and fraternal ties between the two countries and reiterated his commitment to strengthening military-to-military cooperation through bilateral and multilateral exercises”.
He also underscored the transformation of the PAF into a robust multi-domain force, integrating space, cyber, electronic warfare and artificial intelligence capabilities, demonstrated through its operational performance.
It further stated that the ACM’s visit “underscores the depth of the enduring strategic partnership between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reflects the shared commitment of both nations to further strengthen cooperation in the defence and aviation sectors”.
The visit comes as reports emerge about talks between the two countries to convert about $2 billion of Saudi loans into a JF-17 fighter jet deal.
A day ago, Reuters reported a source as saying that discussions were limited to the provision of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, the light combat aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China and produced by the former.
The report quoted another source as saying that the jets were the primary option among others under discussion.
“The first source said the total deal was worth $4bn, with an additional $2bn to be spent on equipment over and above the loan conversion,” the report stated.
The development was reported months after the two nations signed a mutual defence pact last year.
hasssanali8998
Elite Member
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a robust multifaceted cooperation, including in defense. I’m not aware of any particular deal regarding any platform or any systems and its financial adjustments”, says Foreign Office spox TahirAndrabi in his weekly briefing on Pak selling JF17s to Saudi
_Arabia_
Trusted Member
@Oscar
That is simply not true. The law is the same for everyone. You will always have some skewed decisions and bias in every system, West included. The only rights you have in the West are those as a citizen or EU citizen or a person with permanent residency. Nowadays there are no other differences, hence the huge influx of Muslims with Western passports.
Good luck trying to enter Europe/West as a Pakistani (or any non-Westerner) illegally or without any papers or without any residency permit beforehand or work permit etc.
Not to mention the increasing and open xenophobia in the West. No such things in KSA and that despite KSA being one of the most flooded (by illegal migrants) countries out there and a country that already host one of the largest (albeit decreasing in numbers) expat community in the world from all corners of the world.
It is simple, nobody is treated differently based on nationality, simply put, some nationals are profiled due to prevalence of x or y within their communities. This is normal behavior. Being told to show you ID is not a violation of anything as a visitor.
For every official that has some attitude x or y, you will find 5-6 that don't have. In particular among the youth.
Any way those same attitudes that you complain about, rightly so, are also a minority of people among Saudi Arabians, similar to the attitudes of Pakistanis that I and other Saudi Arabians complain about (beggars, illegal migrants etc.). You rightly say that we should not generalize Pakistanis due to the bad minority but the same thing should apply the other way around.
In particular as such profiling occurs in every single country. I gave you the example of Afghan expats/workers within Pakistan versus Western tourists.
In any case it is a stupid discussion because by nature there will be bad and good examples in every society and community on earth. No system is perfect, neither KSA, Pakistan nor the West. We all have plenty to work on and improve.
However nobody can deny that KSA has made tangible improvements on virtually every front and that KSA remains one of the most successful and stable countries out there (one of the most vibrant currently in terms of development across the entire board) and that did not occur by chance or without any merit. Personally I am tired of the cliches by now. Most are no longer relevant.
KSA has been extremely lenient when it comes to hosting and accepting illegal migrants and their mischief to the point that you had illegal slums next to Al-Masjid Al-Haram for the past 50-60 years. In every major city for that matter.
@PakFactor
Some scholarly work by Saudi Arabians and non-Saudi Arabians have been written about this topic.
drepo.sdl.edu.sa
From what I recall, relocation. For some strange reason those illegals cannot be deported because they have burned/removed/disposed of their identity papers and now their countries of origin (most of them at least) will not accept them. Some deals with their countries of origin have been reached though and some have returned. However it is difficult when some are 3 or even 4th generation illegal migrants within KSA. They know no other country. Hence why many of them have received permanent residency.
In any case this situation should never have occurred and personally there should be zero tolerance for any illegal migrants who break the law.
Nowadays there are plenty of ways to enter KSA legally.
That is simply not true. The law is the same for everyone. You will always have some skewed decisions and bias in every system, West included. The only rights you have in the West are those as a citizen or EU citizen or a person with permanent residency. Nowadays there are no other differences, hence the huge influx of Muslims with Western passports.
Good luck trying to enter Europe/West as a Pakistani (or any non-Westerner) illegally or without any papers or without any residency permit beforehand or work permit etc.
Not to mention the increasing and open xenophobia in the West. No such things in KSA and that despite KSA being one of the most flooded (by illegal migrants) countries out there and a country that already host one of the largest (albeit decreasing in numbers) expat community in the world from all corners of the world.
It is simple, nobody is treated differently based on nationality, simply put, some nationals are profiled due to prevalence of x or y within their communities. This is normal behavior. Being told to show you ID is not a violation of anything as a visitor.
For every official that has some attitude x or y, you will find 5-6 that don't have. In particular among the youth.
Any way those same attitudes that you complain about, rightly so, are also a minority of people among Saudi Arabians, similar to the attitudes of Pakistanis that I and other Saudi Arabians complain about (beggars, illegal migrants etc.). You rightly say that we should not generalize Pakistanis due to the bad minority but the same thing should apply the other way around.
In particular as such profiling occurs in every single country. I gave you the example of Afghan expats/workers within Pakistan versus Western tourists.
In any case it is a stupid discussion because by nature there will be bad and good examples in every society and community on earth. No system is perfect, neither KSA, Pakistan nor the West. We all have plenty to work on and improve.
However nobody can deny that KSA has made tangible improvements on virtually every front and that KSA remains one of the most successful and stable countries out there (one of the most vibrant currently in terms of development across the entire board) and that did not occur by chance or without any merit. Personally I am tired of the cliches by now. Most are no longer relevant.
KSA has been extremely lenient when it comes to hosting and accepting illegal migrants and their mischief to the point that you had illegal slums next to Al-Masjid Al-Haram for the past 50-60 years. In every major city for that matter.
@PakFactor
Some scholarly work by Saudi Arabians and non-Saudi Arabians have been written about this topic.
Between Demolition and Development: The Impact of Slum Demolitions on Housing Prices in the Makkah Region
This study examines the causal impact of slum demolitions on housing prices in Saudi Arabia’s Makkah region, where clearance initiatives were implemented as part of broader economic and infrastructural reforms. Employing the Synthetic Control Method (SCM) as the primary identification strategy...
drepo.sdl.edu.sa
From what I recall, relocation. For some strange reason those illegals cannot be deported because they have burned/removed/disposed of their identity papers and now their countries of origin (most of them at least) will not accept them. Some deals with their countries of origin have been reached though and some have returned. However it is difficult when some are 3 or even 4th generation illegal migrants within KSA. They know no other country. Hence why many of them have received permanent residency.
In any case this situation should never have occurred and personally there should be zero tolerance for any illegal migrants who break the law.
Nowadays there are plenty of ways to enter KSA legally.
Last edited:
Oscar
Moderator
We can agree on this only. Having lived in Riyadh 2003-2005 - and now frequent visits - the difference in development and even some attitudes is night and day.
Trailer23
Trusted Member
Saw this...article as one of my News Feeds based on Interests, I suppose.
Prior to reading it, tried to look around if I could get any background on it.
share.google
Prior to reading it, tried to look around if I could get any background on it.
Why Saudi Arabia’s Defense Talks With Pakistan Are Raising Concerns | OilPrice.com
Saudi Arabia’s talks with Pakistan over a fighter jet-for-financing arrangement point to a strategic shift that could weaken U.S.-centric Gulf security and complicate deterrence dynamics with Iran.
share.google
Dalit
Elite Member
The Brits are losing their mind.
Why Saudi Arabia’s Defense Talks With Pakistan Are Raising Concerns
By Editorial Dept - Jan 09, 2026, 8:30 AM CST
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are discussing an arrangement that would see Pakistan supply JF-17 fighter jets in exchange for financial support or loans. The development is destabilizing because it pulls Saudi defense planning toward a nuclear-armed partner outside the US security structure that has anchored Gulf deterrence for decades. It means Saudi security decisions would no longer run primarily through Washington, Iran would have to account for Pakistan in any confrontation with Riyadh, and the US would no longer be the sole power able to contain escalation.
oilprice.com
Why Saudi Arabia’s Defense Talks With Pakistan Are Raising Concerns
By Editorial Dept - Jan 09, 2026, 8:30 AM CST
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are discussing an arrangement that would see Pakistan supply JF-17 fighter jets in exchange for financial support or loans. The development is destabilizing because it pulls Saudi defense planning toward a nuclear-armed partner outside the US security structure that has anchored Gulf deterrence for decades. It means Saudi security decisions would no longer run primarily through Washington, Iran would have to account for Pakistan in any confrontation with Riyadh, and the US would no longer be the sole power able to contain escalation.
Why Saudi Arabia’s Defense Talks With Pakistan Are Raising Concerns | OilPrice.com
Saudi Arabia’s talks with Pakistan over a fighter jet-for-financing arrangement point to a strategic shift that could weaken U.S.-centric Gulf security and complicate deterrence dynamics with Iran.
oilprice.com
RocketLaw
Registered Member
Saudi Arabia is gradually approaching a complete break with the UAE and its exclusion from any future regional arrangements:
- Mohammed bin Salman rejects all reconciliation mediations sent by Mohammed bin Zayed
- Unofficial Saudi media urges investors and businessmen to withdraw their investments from the UAE
- Regionally: After expelling it from Yemen! Saudi Arabia has begun arming the Sudanese army with Pakistani fighter jets and other advanced weaponry
In summary: Saudi Arabia has decided to confront UAE influence in the region, and Bin Zayed is implicated, searching for peace!
Broghil
Registered Member
They are concerned bcz their allies are being confronted.
KingQamaR
Elite Member
Israeli Airstrike on Qatar has changed everything friend. Saudis wake up scrambling to make ally’s.
Master Chief
Trusted Member
Yemen's main separatist group denies disbanding
CAIRO, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Yemen's main separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council, denied on Saturday it was disbanding, according to a statement posted on X.The statement comes amid conflicting remarks by members on the UAE-backed group's fate, reflecting a feud between Gulf powers...
Do we know if the UAE backed group has actually "disbanded" or not?
@_Arabia_ any thoughts on this if I may ask?
Broghil
Registered Member
I think it's more about Saudi Arabia actively countering UAE backed proxies and groups in the region with not Turkey hinting about joining the mutual defence pact while Israel is aligned with Greece and Cyprus.
