Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Visits Saudi Arabia to Discuss Defense Pact

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is conducting a two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia, arriving on August 6 with a high-level delegation. He is scheduled to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss bilateral relations, investment, and regional security challenges, specifically addressing the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.

A primary objective of the visit is the review of the Pakistan-Saudi Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) signed in September 2025. This pact formalizes cooperation in intelligence sharing, joint training, and defense technology. While officials emphasize the arrangement is defensive and does not include nuclear security guarantees, it operates on the principle that aggression against one nation is a challenge to both.

Prior to his departure, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with Mohammed bin Salman to condemn Houthi militia attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. Sharif characterized these strikes as a violation of international law and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the security and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia.