Pakistan Foreign Office denies knowledge of JF-17 deal with Saudi Arabia
Islamabad eyes $4B JF-17 deal with Riyadh amid financial strain, Reuters reports
Aamir Abbasi
Editor, Islamabad
Aamir; a journalist with 15 years of experience, working in Newspaper, TV and Digital Media. Worked in Field, covered Big Legal Constitutional and Political Events in Pakistan since 2009 with Pakistan’s Top Media Organizations. Graduate of Quaid I Azam University Islamabad.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) dismissed on Thursday media reports suggesting a possible agreement to supply JF-17 fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia, saying it has no knowledge of any such deal at present.
Addressing a weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintain broad and longstanding defense relations, marked by close cooperation across multiple fields. “At this stage, we do not know such a deal,” he said.
Andrabi added that if any development takes place in this regard, it will be shared at an appropriate time
What is the JF-17 deal
Earlier reports by Reuters indicated that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were in discussions to convert about $2 billion of Saudi loans into a JF-17 fighter jet deal, potentially worth $4 billion, with an additional $2 billion planned for equipment support.
Sources cited by Reuters said the talks focused on the JF-17 Thunder, a light combat aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China and produced in Pakistan.
The discussions were viewed as part of broader efforts to operationalize defense cooperation between the two countries following a mutual defense pact signed last year.
Analysts have noted that the JF-17’s combat-tested performance and cost-effectiveness make it an attractive option for regional partners.
Air chief’s visit to Saudi Arabia
The reports of the deal emerged following Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu's recent visit to Saudi Arabia. The air chief met HRH Lieutenant General Turki bin Bander bin Abdulaziz, Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force, and General Fayiadh bin Hameed Al-Rowaily, Chief of the General Staff.
As per a statement released by the Pakistan Air Force's media wing, the leaders discussed air force collaboration, joint training programs, operational cooperation, and the exchange of professional expertise. "Saudi officials praised the professionalism and readiness of the Pakistan Air Force and highlighted its role in promoting regional peace and stability," the statement added.
Pak-Afghan diplomatic engagement
On the Pak-Afghan diplomatic front, the FO, in its briefing, informed that diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan was ongoing. He emphasized that formal relations remain in place and embassies and consulates on both sides are operational.
The FO spokesperson stressed that Pakistan’s position on bilateral relations with Afghanistan remains unchanged and called on the Afghan Taliban to take concrete action against terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil.
The spokesperson also reaffirmed the trilateral mechanism involving Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan as a positive reflection of Pakistan’s constructive regional approach.
The continuation of the foreign ministers’ trilateral mechanism was agreed upon during the Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, the spokesperson added.
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