What Is the Purpose of the Deployment of Pakistani Troops in Saudi Arabia?
A few days ago, Pakistani fighter jets and military forces arrived in Saudi Arabia. This deployment is part of a defense agreement signed between the two countries last year. According to this pact, if either country is attacked, the other will provide support. This development comes at a time when Pakistan is mediating talks between Iran and the United States. The objective of these negotiations is to find a path to end the conflict involving Iran, although no resolution has yet been reached. The Saudi Ministry of Defense has clarified that the deployment of Pakistani forces aims to strengthen joint defense cooperation and contribute to regional and international security.
A Pakistani official has stated that the troops sent to Saudi Arabia are not intended to “attack anyone.” However, this move has raised many questions, particularly about its implications for the future of U.S. security guarantees in the Gulf region. Iran has launched drone and ballistic missile attacks on key oil fields and civilian infrastructure in the Gulf, intensifying anger over the costly consequences imposed by U.S.-led military actions.
According to Hassan Al-Shahri, a Saudi security and strategic expert, the deployment of Pakistan’s air force in Saudi Arabia signals Riyadh’s desire to diversify its security guarantees. He interprets this as a smart strategy that maintains partnership with the United States while creating a separate parallel security shield in cooperation with Pakistan. In 2015, during the Yemen conflict, Saudi Arabia requested military cooperation from Pakistan, but at that time, the Pakistani parliament rejected the request.
Al-Shahri notes that the current situation differs because there is now a formal defense agreement between the two countries. Meanwhile, Dr. Mustafa Shalash has described the Pakistani military presence in Saudi Arabia as largely symbolic. It serves as a message of Pakistan’s defense commitment and loyalty to its allies. This military presence demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s capability to engage other partners as well.