Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has clarified that the recently signed defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia does not involve providing nuclear weapons to the Kingdom. Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Khawaja said, “Saudi Arabia will not receive a nuclear shield under this deal. It is only for Pakistan. We cannot give nuclear weapons to any other country.” He further emphasized that Pakistan developed its nuclear arsenal to safeguard its own sovereignty and would not compromise on this principle.
The statement comes in the wake of widespread speculation that the defense pact, signed on September 18 in Riyadh by Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, might have included a nuclear component. Under the agreement, any attack on either country would be considered an attack on both nations, effectively formalizing a mutual defense commitment. The pact also outlines joint measures to counter external threats, a move intended to enhance security in the Gulf region.
Khawaja Asif clarified that the deal is strictly conventional in nature and that Pakistan would not transfer its nuclear weapons under any circumstances. He said, “The nuclear weapon was developed to prevent anyone from attacking Pakistan. We will use it to protect our sovereignty. Pakistan will not make any deals regarding nuclear weapons. The Saudi deal is in front of everyone.”
The defense minister also noted that Pakistan intends to engage other Gulf countries to join similar security arrangements. “We have shared the draft of the deal with everyone. We will be talking to other Gulf countries in addition to Saudi Arabia. We will take on board any country that wishes to join us jointly. Our goal is to unite all Muslim countries,” he added.
The agreement is seen as a strategic step by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to bolster regional security. According to Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb Tarar, the deal aims to protect the two holy mosques in Saudi Arabia. She added that Israel, which possesses nuclear weapons and maintains a strategic edge in the Middle East, constantly monitors Gulf countries, and the deal ensures that Saudi Arabia remains safeguarded against potential threats.
Currently, Israel is the only officially recognized nuclear-armed state in the Middle East, reportedly possessing over 90 nuclear weapons. Other countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia and Iran, do not possess nuclear arms, although regional tensions have fueled concerns about potential proliferation.
The clarification from Pakistan comes amid heightened geopolitical sensitivities in the Gulf region. While Pakistan strengthens its strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, it must balance relations with neighboring Iran, which has remained silent on the development. The pact reflects Pakistan’s efforts to position itself as a central security partner in the Gulf, while maintaining strict control over its nuclear arsenal.
In conclusion, Khawaja Asif’s statement underscores that while the Saudi-Pakistan defense deal formalizes military cooperation, it does not extend Pakistan’s nuclear weapons to any other country. The agreement focuses on conventional defense, regional coordination, and mutual security guarantees, without compromising Pakistan’s nuclear sovereignty.
