FPCCI Applauds Historic Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA)
SMDA will serve as a credible deterrent to destabilizing actions by rogue states
KARACHI: The Policy Advisory Board of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (PAB-FPCCI) has released a research report titled “A New Chapter in Regional Security: An Analysis of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Strategic Defense Agreement” and warmly welcomed the signing of the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) between the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and the Crown Prince & Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The report describes the agreement as a landmark moment in the nearly eight-decade-long partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, elevating their relationship into a robust strategic alliance designed to meet regional security challenges and foster economic prosperity.
The SMDA enshrines a mutual commitment to collective security, declaring that “any aggression against one country shall be considered an aggression against both.” This framework significantly strengthens defense cooperation, positioning both nations as stabilizing forces in the region.
FPCCI noted that both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have consistently acted as responsible members of the international community, prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy over aggression, while jointly countering terrorism and advancing global peace and development.
The federation’s analysis highlights that the SMDA will serve as a credible deterrent to destabilizing actions by rogue states. It particularly points to India’s cross-border terrorism and expansionist ambitions, as well as Israel’s ongoing aggression in Gaza and neighboring regions, as threats undermining Muslim world peace. By combining Saudi Arabia’s financial and diplomatic clout with Pakistan’s proven military capabilities, the alliance sends a clear message of unified resistance against unilateral aggression.
Beyond defense, the agreement opens up significant economic opportunities. The report underscores Pakistan’s enhanced deterrence capabilities, coupled with Saudi Arabia’s influence in stabilizing Afghanistan. By promoting Afghanistan’s role as a regional transit hub, the two countries can help connect Central Asian markets and unlock growth opportunities benefiting Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, China, and the wider Central Asian republics.
