• ‘Historic’ mutual defence accord proclaims aggression against one will be considered attack on both partners
• New pact comes on heels of shift towards collective security in Middle East; formalises commitments that had existed in practice
• PM inaugurates ‘Pakistan TV Digital’ to carry country’s perspective to international audiences.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have entered into a landmark mutual defence agreement, under which any aggression against one state will be considered an attack on both. The ‘Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement’ was signed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Wednesday.
According to the text of the joint statement, issued simultaneously by Islamabad and Riyadh at the end of PM Shehbaz’s day-long state visit, the pact “reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieving security and peace in the region and the world”. “[It] aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression,” the statement said, without going into details.
Importantly, the text underscored that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both”.
…Source: dawn.com
