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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Saudi Arabia, saying it will stand by the Kingdom &ldquo;no matter what,&rdquo; as the widening war triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran continues to shake regional security and global energy markets. Speaking to Bloomberg Television, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&rsquo;s spokesperson, Mosharraf Zaidi, underscored the depth of Islamabad&rsquo;s strategic partnership with Riyadh, particularly following their mutual defense agreement. &ldquo;One thing to be clear about is the question isn&rsquo;t whether Pakistan might come to Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s aid,&rdquo; Zaidi said. &ldquo;Both countries have always operated on a principle of being there for the other before they need to be, no matter what.&rdquo; The comments come as tensions escalate across the Middle East after US and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered a widening regional conflict, raising concerns about attacks on Gulf states and the security of global oil supplies. Last week, Pakistan Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir met Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Riyadh, where the two sides reaffirmed their strategic defense partnership and discussed regional security as the crisis deepened. The meeting underscored growing military coordination between Islamabad and Riyadh amid fears the conflict could draw Gulf states further into the war. Talking to Bloomberg, Zaidi said Pakistan is closely coordinating with regional partners while also maintaining dialogue with Tehran in an effort to prevent further escalation. &ldquo;We are constantly in touch with Iranian leadership,&rdquo; he said, adding that Islamabad has engaged in sustained diplomatic conversations with multiple countries in the region in recent days. Pakistan&rsquo;s leadership has also been working to manage the economic fallout from the conflict, particularly disruptions to energy supply routes linked to instability around the Strait of Hormuz. Zaidi said the government moved quickly to raise fuel prices earlier in anticipation of supply disruptions, a decision that has placed pressure on consumers but helped protect supply chains. &ldquo;The increase in the petroleum and diesel prices a few days ago has hit the Pakistani consumer really hard. There&rsquo;s a lot of concern,&rdquo; he said. At the same time, authorities have introduced measures to conserve fuel and stabilize demand, including a four-day government work week, expanded remote work and reduced official vehicle use. Despite the regional turmoil, Zaidi said Pakistan&rsquo;s immediate priority remains ensuring supply stability and protecting its maritime routes. &ldquo;The Pakistani Navy has been providing escorts through shipping lanes in Pakistani waters,&rdquo; he said, adding that Islamabad&rsquo;s focus is securing its own territory while supporting diplomatic efforts to calm the crisis. Zaidi also addressed security concerns on Pakistan&rsquo;s western border, rejecting suggestions that the country is engaged in a broader conflict with Afghanistan. &ldquo;We are not in a conflict with Afghanistan,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We are in a conflict with a regime that&rsquo;s been hosting and giving safe haven to Taliban terrorists attacking Pakistani civilians.&rdquo; He said Pakistan will continue counterterrorism operations until militant groups operating from Afghan territory no longer threaten its security. As the Middle East war continues to ripple through regional politics and global markets, Islamabad says its approach remains centered on diplomacy, economic stability and strong strategic partnerships.

Foreign Affairs

Talking to Bloomberg, Pakistan PM’s spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi says Islamabad is working to prevent wider regional escalation while maintaining close coordination with Gulf partners, protecting energy supply chains and managing economic pressures caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Pakistan vows support for Saudi Arabia ‘no matter what’ amid Middle East war

In this handout photo, taken and released by Saudi defense ministry on March 7, 2026, Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman speaks during a meeting with Pakistan Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Mu

Security

Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman says talks with Pakistan’s army chief focused on Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and security cooperation under their Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement, emphasizing joint efforts to maintain stability.

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan discuss halting Iranian attacks on Kingdom

ISLAMABAD: Turkiye is reportedly seeking to join the mutual defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, potentially creating a new trilateral security alignment, Bloomberg reported on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;The US-based news agency cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter, saying the talks are at an advanced stage and &ldquo;a deal is very likely.&rdquo;&nbsp;According to Bloomberg, Turkiye views joining the pact as a way to strengthen security and deterrence amid questions about the United States&#39; reliability and changing regional dynamics. The report noted that Turkiye&rsquo;s interests increasingly overlap with those of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.&nbsp;The story also referenced comments from Nihat Ali Ozcan, a strategist at Ankara-based think tank TEPAV, who highlighted the combined strengths of the three countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Riyadh brings financial clout, Islamabad its nuclear capability and manpower, while Turkiye contributes military experience and a developed defense industry,&rdquo; Ozcan told Bloomberg.&nbsp;&nbsp;The report added that the expanded alliance could shift regional and global security calculations, particularly as countries seek new mechanisms to identify friends and foes in a changing geopolitical environment.&nbsp;Bloomberg further noted that Turkiye has already been deepening defense ties with both countries, including constructing corvette warships for the Pakistan Navy, upgrading the Pakistan Air Force&rsquo;s F-16s, and sharing drone technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;The outlet added that Turkiye now aims to involve Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in its Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet program.&nbsp;Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defense pactThe&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistansaudi-defense-pact-oozes-with-unknowns" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pakistan-Saudi Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement</a>&nbsp;was signed in Riyadh in September 2025 by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.&nbsp;Under the pact, any attack on either nation would be treated as an act of aggression against both. The agreement is part of a broader effort to strengthen military and strategic cooperation between Islamabad and Riyadh, which also includes economic assistance and energy support.

Bloomberg says Turkiye views joining the pact as a way to strengthen security and deterrence amid questions over the reliability of the United States and changing regional dynamics.

Articles tagged with "Pakistan Saudi Arabia defense pact"

Pakistan vows support for Saudi Arabia ‘no matter what’ amid Middle East war

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan discuss halting Iranian attacks on Kingdom

Turkiye joining Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defense pact: Report