Pakistan’s Commitment to Saudi Security ‘Unwavering’, Army Spokesman Says

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has once again made clear that Pakistan’s commitment to the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia is unwavering and non-negotiable.

In an interview with the Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, he said that steps are being taken to put the joint defence responsibilities of the Mecca Joint Defence Alliance into practice, so that, if needed, agreed military forces and defence capabilities can be deployed promptly in Saudi Arabia.

These steps include raising the level of military readiness, strengthening military integration, exchanging intelligence information, and co-ordination for operations of a purely defensive nature.

Presence of Pakistani troops

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that Pakistani soldiers are already present in Saudi Arabia under various responsibilities, and their primary role is defensive support, training exercises and participation in military drills.

He said Pakistan will continue to provide all possible assistance Saudi Arabia requires for defensive purposes, including military personnel, defence capabilities, training and logistical support.

However, declining to give details of the number of Pakistani troops in Saudi Arabia or the locations of their deployment, he said such information is generally not made public in military alliances.

Condemnation of attacks and Tehran meeting

The spokesperson said the decision to take practical steps under the Mecca defence alliance was made after recent attacks on Saudi Arabia. He condemned attacks targeting airports, cities, and civilian and economic installations.

He said these attacks are actions against Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and pose a threat to peace and stability in the region. The protection of Saudi Arabia and the Two Holy Mosques is Pakistan’s foremost and undisputed priority.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stressed the need to reduce tensions, show restraint and pursue a diplomatic solution, saying that further confrontation is in no one’s interest.

According to the spokesperson, the meeting held in Tehran on 26 October between representatives of the Mecca Joint Defence Alliance and Iranian officials aimed to establish a framework for reducing tensions and for regional co-operation.

The participation of Field Marshal Asim Munir in this process and his visit to Tehran reflect Pakistan’s support for dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes in the region.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, announced last year, provides a framework for bilateral defence co-operation between the two countries.

The Mecca Joint Defence Alliance is a trilateral structure comprising Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which aims to promote collective defence, joint preparedness and military co-ordination. He said both arrangements are purely defensive in nature and harbour no aggressive intentions against any country.

He said Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey wish to further strengthen collective defence capability, military co-operation and regional stability in future.