Pakistan has confirmed the deployment of a significant number of its military personnel to Saudi Arabia, a move aimed at supporting the kingdom’s territorial defense under a newly signed joint defense agreement. According to Sajjad Haider Khan, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, these forces and resources have been stationed in Riyadh strictly for defensive purposes. Khan emphasized that this deployment is not intended to support any cross-border military actions against Yemen’s Houthi forces, but rather to bolster the protection of Saudi territory.
The deployment is part of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7, 2026, which involves Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye. This pact establishes a framework for enhanced regional security cooperation, committing the three nations to consider an armed attack against one member as an attack against all. The agreement aims to strengthen collective defense measures among the participating countries.
Pakistan’s military confirmed that its personnel are actively serving in various operational roles within Saudi Arabia as part of this agreement. This development underscores the commitment of the three nations to deepen their defense ties and collaborate on regional security challenges.
The details of the agreement and the deployment have been disclosed amid ongoing regional tensions, particularly concerning the conflict in Yemen. However, officials have reiterated that the Pakistani forces are not involved in offensive operations and are present in Saudi Arabia solely for defensive reasons.
This collaboration between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye represents a significant step toward closer military and strategic cooperation in the region, reflecting the countries’ shared interests in maintaining stability and security.