Pakistan’s defense importance, Pak-Saudi defense agreement and Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit to the United Arab Emirates…

Rahmatullah Buriro

Pakistan, being the defense, military and nuclear power of the Muslim world, has a very promising brotherly country in terms of security. Pakistan’s political and military leadership has always had good, better and Muslim-based feelings for the Muslim world. That is why world powers have this attitude towards Pakistan. It has always been seen that whenever there is a clash of world powers or a turmoil in their global policies, Pakistan has been affected on a regional and state basis. That is why Pakistan has not only suffered a lot of losses instead of benefits, but has also made sacrifices. Pakistan’s political, government and military leaderships have continued their policies with a great defense strategy in harmony with each other, and have also handled matters of state defense, economic stability, institutional protection and security. In this situation, some time ago The government representatives have signed a Saudi defense agreement, which is called the Pak-Saudi Defense Agreement. This agreement has also been given the name of a broad background. The purpose of the broad background is that this defense agreement can expand not only between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia but also with other Muslim countries. In this regard, Pakistan’s military and government representatives are also in contact with the Muslim world. Leaderships from Turkey, Iran, the United Arab Emirates to the Muslim world are also present. Pakistan has always demonstrated Pakistan’s active foreign policy in talks on security, maritime security, joint counter-terrorism strategies and new geopolitical alliances. Therefore, the current visit of the Field Marshal to the UAE is of great importance. As an introduction, if we look at the state history of Pakistan, it will be found that the great support for the survival of this country has been its defense strategy, diplomatic balance and understanding of regional sensitivities. Pakistan, located at the crossroads of South Asia, the Middle East and Central Asia, is not only geographically important, but also serves as a strategic pivot for global powers. In this context, the recent defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and the subsequent visit of Asim Munir to the United Arab Emirates should be considered part of a larger regional strategy. The relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are not only diplomatic or economic in nature, but are based on religious respect, historical trust and defense cooperation. The role of Pakistan’s military experts, trainers and advisors has played an important role in the Saudi defense structure. In the current era, when the Middle East has become an arena of changing alliances, Iran-Saudi rapprochement, the situation in Yemen, the Gaza conflict and the competition between major powers, the Pak-Saudi defense agreement is being seen as a new hope for collective security in the Muslim world.
In the broader context of the Muslim world, Pakistan holds a unique position, as it is the only nuclear-armed country in the Islamic world. The 1998 nuclear tests made Pakistan the center of the defense balance. For many Islamic countries, Pakistan is a force that possesses nuclear deterrence along with conventional military power. Therefore, when an influential country like Saudi Arabia signs a defense agreement with Pakistan, its message is not limited to just the two countries, but creates a sense of security and trust in the entire Islamic world. Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit to the UAE is also an important link in the same chain. The United Arab Emirates is an important hub for economic stability, investment and security cooperation in the region. For Pakistan, the relationship with the UAE is not limited to workforce and remittances, but extends to intelligence sharing, maritime security, counter-terrorism and regional coordination. The discussions on regional security, maritime trade security, joint counter-terrorism strategy and new geopolitical alliances during this visit have proven Pakistan’s proactive foreign policy.
Pakistan’s importance is also evident in the context of the non-Muslim world. Economic corridor projects with China, security ties with the United States, increased energy and defense dialogue with Russia, and economic cooperation with the Gulf countries give Pakistan a balanced diplomatic position. World powers consider Pakistan important in terms of the situation in Afghanistan, the fight against terrorism, nuclear responsibility, and the balance in South Asia. Since its establishment, Pakistan has faced several wars, waves of terrorism, political chaos, and economic crises, but has managed to maintain the continuity of state institutions, which is a testament to its defense and institutional strength.
The Muslim world’s expectations from Pakistan are multifaceted.
On the one hand, the desire for Islamic unity and a common defense strategy, on the other hand, the hope for diplomatic moderation and peace. The biggest test for Pakistan is to protect its national interests without becoming a tool of any global bloc politics. If the Pak-Saudi defense agreement is used for regional stability, elimination of terrorism and common security, it can become an ideal model for the Muslim world.
At the same time, it is important to remember that defense power is effective only when it is accompanied by economic and political stability. Pakistan’s internal political harmony, economic recovery, energy self-sufficiency and institutional transparency are necessary conditions for the effective implementation of foreign policy. If the internal front is strong, Pakistan will be able to play a more dignified and effective role in the external world.
Analytically, the Pak-Saudi defense agreement and Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit to the United Arab Emirates are a reflection of Pakistan’s changing, but balanced and independent foreign strategy. These steps are not limited to military cooperation, but are part of a larger regional strategy aimed at balance, shared security, and diplomatic coherence. Pakistan’s history shows that this country has the ability to emerge from crises and chart a new course. Today, there is still a need to combine defense strength with diplomatic wisdom, economic reforms, and national unity to move forward into the future.