Saudi defense agreement is not a response to Israel’s attack on Qatar: Asif

The newly negotiated defense deal with Saudi Arabia, according to Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, is the outcome of years of negotiations and collaboration between the two countries rather than a response to the attack on Qatar.

enduring relations with Saudi Arabia
Asif emphasized that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have had a defense collaboration for decades in an interview with British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan.

Over the course of five or six decades, we have maintained a close defense relationship with Saudi Arabia. Our men are still on Saudi territory, having previously been stationed there—possibly between 4,000 and 5,000 at one point,” he said.

Putting defense cooperation in writing
The defense minister claims that rather than establishing anything new, the most recent agreement aims to give the alliance a legal structure.

Our long-standing defense relations have only been formalized by this pact. It was previously predicated on a few deals,” Asif clarified.

International peace and nuclear policy
Khawaja Asif reiterated Pakistan’s position on nuclear weapons before shifting the conversation to more general security concerns.

He emphasized Pakistan’s will to exercise caution in accordance with international standards by saying, “After Hiroshima and Nagasaki, no nuclear power is in favor of using these weapons.”

Pakistan’s democratic journey
The defense minister also discussed Pakistan’s political development, pointing out obstacles but expressing hope.

“We are on this route, even though our democracy is not the best. Asif emphasized the value of making progress gradually, saying, “I myself have been in jail for six months without any charges.”