Defence pact: Saudi Arabia under Pakistan's nuclear umbrella - could more Gulf nations follow?
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement,” sparking debate over Riyadh’s potential access to Pakistan’s nuclear shield. While Islamabad initially said nuclear weapons were “not on the radar,” Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif later told Geo TV that Pakistan’s capabilities “will be made available” to Saudi Arabia under the pact. The deal, seen as a response to rising Gulf insecurity after Israeli strikes in Qatar, revives long-standing speculation about Saudi funding of Pakistan’s nuclear programme.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement,” sparking debate over Riyadh’s potential access to Pakistan’s nuclear shield. While Islamabad initially said nuclear weapons were “not on the radar,” Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif later told Geo TV that Pakistan’s capabilities “will be made available” to Saudi Arabia under the pact. The deal, seen as a response to rising Gulf insecurity after Israeli strikes in Qatar, revives long-standing speculation about Saudi funding of Pakistan’s nuclear programme.
