FILE - In this Monday, March 30, 2015 file photo provided by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Royal Saudi Land Forces and units of Special Forces of the Pakistani army take part in a joint military exercise called “Al-Samsam 5” in Shamrakh field, north of Baha region, southwest Saudi Arabia. (AP Photo/SPA, File)
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia sign defense agreement to treat an attack on one as attack on both
ISLAMABAD (AP) 鈥 Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday signed a defense pact pledging that any attack on either nation would be considered an attack on both.
FILE - In this Monday, March 30, 2015 file photo provided by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Royal Saudi Land Forces and units of Special Forces of the Pakistani army take part in a joint military exercise called “Al-Samsam 5” in Shamrakh field, north of Baha region, southwest Saudi Arabia. (AP Photo/SPA, File)
ISLAMABAD (AP) 鈥 Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday signed a defense pact pledging that any attack on either nation would be considered an attack on both.
The pact comes after rising tensions in the region following the targeting Hamas in Qatar鈥檚 capital killed six people.
The agreement, called the 鈥淪trategic Mutual Defense Agreement,鈥 was signed during Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif鈥檚 visit to the kingdom, according to a joint statement issued after his talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
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The agreement states that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both,鈥 according to a statement that was issued by Pakistan鈥檚 Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.
Sharif traveled to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the crown prince, the statement said.
The countries expressed their commitment to both nations’ security and 鈥減eace in the region and world.鈥
The agreement “aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression,鈥 the statement said.
Pakistan maintains close ties with Saudi Arabia, a key supplier of oil to Islamabad.
