Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), has stated that Pakistani troops are already stationed in Saudi Arabia. He noted that Pakistani forces have been operating in the country across various capacities and sectors for decades.
In an interview with CNN, he explained that the ‘Makkah Defense Alliance’ was formed as a continuation of the long-standing military, diplomatic, and people-to-people ties shared by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey.
Lieutenant General Chaudhry made these remarks after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey agreed to the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia during an emergency meeting held in Riyadh under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.
Following the meeting, a statement from the Foreign Ministry said, “The committee decided to take immediate steps to implement collective defense commitments. Simultaneously, it was decided to take necessary measures to ensure the provision and rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia, in accordance with approved arrangements and the national laws of the respective countries. This will enhance preparedness, military coordination, and collective capabilities in countering and deterring threats.”
The Makkah Defense Agreement, signed on August 7, stipulates that an attack on one member state is to be treated as an attack on all, necessitating collective deterrence and defense measures.
