Federal Cabinet Approves Landmark Defence Pact With Saudi Arabia

The federal cabinet on Thursday formally approved a landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia, a move Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed as a “historic milestone” in bilateral relations. The cabinet, chaired by Sharif, reviewed the recently signed accord in detail and endorsed its strategic significance amid shifting regional dynamics. The agreement is set to deepen defence cooperation, joint military training, intelligence sharing, and broader security collaboration between the two long-standing allies. “This agreement is not just symbolic, it ushers in a new era of actionable cooperation between our two brotherly nations,” Sharif told cabinet members, describing his recent visit to Saudi Arabia as “highly successful.” He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening ties with Gulf states. Cabinet members welcomed the agreement, praising the leadership of both countries and noting that the pact is expected to open new channels of strategic coordination between their defence establishments. During the meeting, Sharif also underscored Islamabad’s enduring ties with China, calling it Pakistan’s “most reliable friend.” He expressed gratitude for China’s continued support, saying, “China has stood by Pakistan in every crisis; we will never forget that.” Sharif also briefed the cabinet on his meeting with former US President Donald Trump in Washington, attended by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. Discussions focused on bilateral ties, trade, and counterterrorism cooperation. The prime minister noted that Trump played a role in de-escalating tensions between Pakistan and India during his presidency and had warned Israel that “the West Bank can never be separated.” Sharif added that Pakistan has played an active and principled role in efforts to restore peace in Gaza. He also updated the cabinet on recent official visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Malaysia, and the United Nations General Assembly in New York, emphasizing Pakistan’s more active foreign policy to enhance its international presence and attract investment. The meeting noted a shift toward economic diplomacy and strategic partnerships, particularly in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions. Among other decisions, the cabinet gave in-principle approval for legislation to establish the WAPDA Security Force, a specialized body tasked with protecting key infrastructure projects, including major dams and hydropower stations. The proposed WAPDA Security Force Act, 2025, would formalize security arrangements for national water and power assets amid growing threats to critical infrastructure. The force will operate under the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in coordination with provincial and federal law enforcement agencies. In another move, the cabinet approved the donation of 15 non-operational aircraft, including eight Cessna and seven Fletcher planes, from the Department of Plant Protection to educational and commemorative institutions. Four operational Beechcraft aircraft will remain in service for locust control and aerial survey missions, following unsuccessful attempts to auction the aging fleet. Addressing the recent uptick in terrorist incidents, particularly along the western border, Sharif condemned attacks by militants entering from Afghanistan and vowed “firm decisions” to safeguard national security. He paid tribute to two army officers, Lt Col Junaid and Major Sibtain Haider, martyred in recent operations, saying he was inspired by their courage after meeting their families. “We can no longer afford to wait. The time for decisive action is now,” he said, calling for a unified national response to terrorism. The cabinet deferred proposed amendments to the Alternate Medicines and Health Products (Enlistment) Rules, 2014, referring them to a special committee for further review. Additionally, the cabinet ratified decisions from the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting held on Oct 2 and the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases from Sept 22.