Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has dismissed speculation that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are part of the recently signed landmark defence pact with Saudi Arabia, stressing that Islamabad is a “responsible” nuclear power.
The “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” was signed in Riyadh on September 17 by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The deal pledges that any attack on either nation will be considered an attack on both, marking a significant upgrade in a security partnership spanning decades.
Following the signing, international media reports suggested that Pakistan might extend a “nuclear umbrella” to the Kingdom, sparking debate worldwide. Addressing the matter in an interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan for Zeteo, Asif rejected such claims.
“We are not selling nuclear weapons. We are responsible people,” the minister said firmly.
Responding to a question on whether the agreement was linked to Israel’s recent strikes on Qatar, Asif said the pact was not a reaction to regional events. “Talks with the Kingdom have been ongoing for a long time,” he explained, adding that the accord had “formalised” a defence relationship that was previously “a bit transactional.”
Asif also highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing military role in Saudi Arabia. “We have had a defence presence there for five or six decades at one point, more than four or five thousand troops were stationed. Even today, our personnel remain in the Kingdom,” he said.
Pressed on whether Saudi Arabia is protected under Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella, the minister avoided details. “I won’t go into specifics, but it is a defence pact and such agreements are generally not discussed publicly,” he remarked.
