Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security, while condemning recent attacks against the Kingdom.
NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and strongly condemned recent attacks against the Kingdom, stressing Islamabad’s support for its sovereignty, security and the protection of Islam’s holiest sites.
In a message marking Saudi Arabia’s National Day on September 23, the prime minister said any threat to the sanctity and security of the Haramain Sharifain deeply concerned Muslims around the world.
The remarks came amid recent attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including reported drone attacks. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has separately reiterated its “unwavering support” for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of the Kingdom.
Shehbaz extended his warmest felicitations to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and the people of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the Kingdom’s National Day.
He said Saudi Arabia’s journey of development and transformation was a source of pride and admiration for both the Kingdom and Pakistan.
The prime minister, who is in New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, said Saudi Arabia continued to advance modernisation, innovation and prosperity under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Pakistan-Saudi Arabia ties gain strategic dimension
Shehbaz said Pakistan took immense pride in its longstanding relationship with Saudi Arabia, describing the ties as rooted in faith, mutual trust and strong bonds between the two peoples.
He noted that the relationship had also acquired a significant strategic dimension through growing defence cooperation.
“Today, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, this brotherhood is growing into an even stronger strategic partnership, underpinned by our shared commitment to peace, security and the unity of the Muslim Ummah,” he said.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have also strengthened their defence relationship through bilateral arrangements. Separately, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, 2026. The agreement provides that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all three, while outlining enhanced defence cooperation.
The three countries subsequently held the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee in Istanbul on August 31. They agreed to further institutionalise cooperation under the agreement while emphasising regional peace, stability, restraint and de-escalation.
Islamabad stresses regional peace and de-escalation
Pakistan has repeatedly said that its defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia is defensive in nature and is intended to contribute to regional security and stability.
The Foreign Office said in September that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was aimed at strengthening regional peace and stability and formalising existing defence cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. It also stressed that Pakistan would continue to pursue dialogue and diplomacy for peace and stability in the wider region.
Concluding his National Day message, Prime Minister Shehbaz extended prayers for the continued strengthening of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations.
He expressed hope that the longstanding brotherhood between the two countries would continue to grow, with both sides maintaining their close ties and cooperation across strategic and bilateral areas.