- Agreement reflects shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security, achieve security and peace in region and world
- It aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression
- Pact states any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both
- Saudi Crown Prince, Premier Shehbaz exchange documents of ‘Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement’ (SMDA) after its signing at Yamamah Palace
RIYADH/ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday signed a “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” in Riyadh, pledging that “any attack on either nation would be treated as an act of aggression against both,” state media reported.
“This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieve security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression. The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both,” said a joint statement shared by PM Office Media Wing after the signing of the agreement.
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Muhammad bin Salman and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif exchange the documents of the “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement” (SMDA) in Riyadh.
#BREAKING: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sign the Joint Strategic Defense Agreement pic.twitter.com/BoQiqnuPTP
— Saudi Gazette (@Saudi_Gazette) September 17, 2025
The two countries have been locked a multifaceted relationship rooted in strategic military cooperation, mutual economic interests, and shared Islamic heritage. These ties have encompassed economic assistance and energy supplies, with Riyadh being a significant source of financial aid and oil for Islamabad.
The statement added that the agreement was signed on the basis of the “historic partnership extending for nearly eight decades … based on the bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity … shared strategic interests and close defense cooperation” between Islamabad and Riyadh.
وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف سعودی ولی عہد و وزیرِ اعظم شہزادہ محمد بن سلمان سے ملاقات کیلئے سعودی شاہی دیوان، قصر یمامہ پہنچے. شاہی دیوان پہنچنے پر وزیرِ اعظم کا سعودی شاہی پروٹوکول کے ساتھ گھڑ سواروں نے استقبال کیا.
شاہی دیوان پہنچنے پر سعودی ولی عہد و وزیرِ اعظم شہزادہ محمد بن… pic.twitter.com/wlx40wV0lm
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) September 17, 2025
According to the PMO’s statement, the two sides and their delegations reviewed the historic and strategic relations between both countries, along with a number of topics of common interest.
“Premier Shehbaz Sharif expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi Crown Prince for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to him and his accompanying delegation,” the statement read.
It added, “the Prime Minister also conveyed his best wishes for the continued well-being of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman … and the continued progress and prosperity for the brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
In turn, the Saudi crown prince extended warm wishes of good health and well-being to PM Shehbaz, the PM’s office said, adding that he wished for further progress and prosperity for the brotherly people of Pakistan.
According to a Foreign Office (FO) statement, “At the gracious invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif paid a state visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.”
Joint Statement on the State Visit of H.E. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of #Pakistan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
At the gracious invitation of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime… pic.twitter.com/H6Xq0qw83w
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) September 17, 2025
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received the prime minister at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh where both sides held an official session of talks in the presence of both countries’ delegations, the FO said, adding that the premier was welcomed by the Saudi crown prince and presented with a guard of honour.
The two sides reviewed the historic and strategic relations between both countries, and a number of topics of common interest.
Earlier, PM Shehbaz was received by Riyadh Deputy Governor Muhammad bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz upon his arrival in the city, according to a post on X by PTV News.
Deputy Governor of Riyadh H.E. Muhammad bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz welcomes Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the King Khalid Airport, as he arrives in Riyadh for his official visit of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. #PakistanSaudiPartnership
(17 September 2025) pic.twitter.com/LWfQPNSJmH— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) September 17, 2025
Another post showed PM Shehbaz and the deputy governor having a meeting.
As soon as the premier’s plane entered Saudi airspace, “Saudi Air Force jets escorted and protected it,” state broadcaster PTV News reported.
“This was a gesture of brotherly love and respect by the Government of Saudi Arabia. This honour in the Muslim world is the result of Allah’s blessings, Shehbaz Sharif’s diplomatic skills, and the unparalleled achievements of our Armed Forces.”
Aerial view of Royal Escort F-15 fighter jets accompany the aircraft of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as he enters the airspace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
🇵🇰🤝🇸🇦 #PakistanSaudiPartnership pic.twitter.com/knPCFD067g— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) September 17, 2025
The FO stated that PM Shehbaz undertook the state visit at the invitation of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “During the visit, the prime minister will hold a bilateral meeting with the crown prince to review the entire spectrum of Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations,” the statement added.
The FO said that both leaders were expected to exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest. “The visit is expected to result in the formalization of cooperation in diverse fields, reflecting the shared commitment of both sides to further enhance and deepen their longstanding fraternal ties,” it added.
Image of the year, two brothers 🇵🇰🇸🇦
One UmmahLong Live Pak – Saudi Friendship#COAS #AsimMunir #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/nVhXcsruM4
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) September 17, 2025
While highlighting the “historic relationship” between the countries, the statement said that the visit will “provide an important opportunity for the two leaders to consolidate this unique partnership, while exploring new avenues of collaboration, for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.”
The premier was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Environment Musadik Malik and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, state media Radio Pakistan reported.
وزیر اعظم محمد شہباز شریف کا دورہءِ ریاض، سعودی عرب
ولی عہد شہزادہ محمد بن سلمان کی دعوت پر وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف مملکت سعودی عرب کے سرکاری دورے پر اسلام آباد سے ریاض کیلئے روانہ۔
نائب وزیرِ اعظم و وزیرِ خارجہ محمد اسحاق ڈار، وزیرِ دفاع خواجہ محمد آصف، وزیرِ خزانہ محمد… pic.twitter.com/LIQFYY6D2h
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) September 17, 2025
In July, President Asif Zardari met Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmed Al-Malki to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, economy, and culture. During the meeting, President Zardari invited Saudi investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan.
PM Shehbaz had met the Saudi crown prince on a two-day official visit in June, where he thanked the Saudi leader for his role in ending the conflict between Pakistan and India in May.
