Pakistan says it remains committed to Saudi defense and regional security

Pakistan remains committed to the defense of Saudi Arabia and the protection of its holy sites, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday.

He outlined Islamabad's expanding security cooperation with Riyadh and Turkey at a press conference.

Is Pakistan going to defend Saudi Arabia?

Yes. Dar reaffirmed Islamabad's commitment to the kingdom's defense and to protecting Islam's two holiest sites in Makkah and Medina.

He also said Pakistan supports diplomatic efforts to ease Middle East tensions, including contacts between the United States and Iran and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to international shipping.

Did Saudi Arabia and Pakistan sign a defense pact?

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement in September 2025, under which aggression against either country is to be considered aggression against both. Pakistan described it as a framework for strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and joint deterrence.

In August 2026, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, further expanding the three countries' security cooperation. The pact provides for institutional structures to coordinate their strategic, political and defense cooperation.

What is next for the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement?

Dar said the next meeting of the strategic and political committee established under the Makkah agreement would be held in Riyadh. More than six countries have expressed interest in joining the grouping, he said, although expanding the alliance and making it fully operational would take at least a year.

Dar also said Pakistan had proposed Lieutenant General (retd) Nauman as the alliance's first secretary-general for a three-year term.

The comments came as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey have stepped up coordination under the agreement. Their foreign ministers met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last month to review progress on establishing the pact's institutional structures. They also discussed security and freedom of navigation in the region.

Dar said Saudi Arabia had faced at least 17 attacks on Sept. 21-22, most of which were repulsed, describing the attacks as unacceptable. Pakistan has publicly expressed solidarity with Riyadh and condemned recent attacks targeting Saudi Arabia.

What did Pakistan say about the US-Iran talks and the Strait of Hormuz?

Dar said Pakistan had facilitated communication between Washington and Tehran during negotiations that culminated in an understanding on June 18. Washington had initially proposed Doha and Islamabad as possible venues, while Tehran had suggested Muscat and Islamabad.

The June agreement, known as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, provided for an immediate and permanent halt to military operations between the United States and Iran, including in Lebanon, according to the text of the agreement.

Dar said Pakistan's position on the Strait of Hormuz remained clear: the waterway should stay open and free of restrictions or taxation. He said he raised the issue during a recent visit to Britain, where his first meeting was with international maritime authorities.

Dar also said he contacted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi about the safe passage of a Pakistani liquefied natural gas vessel through the strait. "Despite the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a Pakistani vessel safely passed through on Saturday," Dar said, adding that the vessel was allowed to transit following his request.

What did Dar do at the UN General Assembly?

Dar said he held about 28 bilateral meetings with foreign leaders and senior officials during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. He met officials from Iran, Bahrain, Algeria, Libya, Jordan, Austria, Greece, Hungary, Bulgaria and Mali, as well as the Palestinian permanent observer and the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held meetings with leaders from Kuwait, Bosnia, Kenya and Iran, Dar said. Pakistan sought to maintain diplomatic engagement on regional conflicts and other international issues.

Several bilateral agreements were concluded during the visit. Pakistan and Guatemala signed an agreement on political consultations on Sept. 23, while Pakistan and Benin signed a similar memorandum on Sept. 25.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also signed a mutual visa-exemption agreement covering diplomatic and special or official passport holders, aimed at facilitating official travel and bilateral coordination. Dar said Pakistan expected to conclude a similar agreement with Algeria in the near future.

What happened to the Pakistani crew of the hijacked MV Honour 25?

Dar gave an update on the Pakistani crew members caught up in the hijacking of the MV Honor 25 off the Somali coast. Four of the 10 Pakistani crew members have been safely retrieved and are due to arrive in Karachi on Oct. 3, according to Dar. The remains of three crew members who died in the incident are being repatriated.

He said the four rescued crew members had not suffered serious injuries. Three other Pakistani crew members remained aboard the vessel with its captain. Pakistan's ambassador in Djibouti was sent to Somalia after the incident to coordinate efforts with the relevant authorities, Dar said.

Will the UN chief visit Pakistan?

Dar said UN Secretary-General António Guterres was expected to visit Pakistan before completing his term. He described Guterres as a close friend of Pakistan and said the visit was expected to take place as the UN chief approaches the end of his tenure.