Why is Pakistan not helping Saudi Arabia?
The war that started in the Middle East has been going on for 4 days. Iran attacked the US military base in Saudi Arabia. But why is Pakistan not helping Saudi Arabia?
In 2025, a military agreement was signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Some international analysts have described it as an “Islamic NATO.”
Pakistan, as the only nuclear-armed state in the Islamic world, acts as a security guarantee for Saudi Arabia. Many analysts call it a nuclear umbrella for Saudi Arabia.
Also, according to the signed agreement, if any country declares war on Saudi Arabia, Pakistan must help it or vice versa.
Why is Pakistan not immediately going to war with Iran?
Despite the agreement, there are serious reasons for Pakistan’s caution.
First, Pakistan’s attack on Iran would mean the opening of a new hotbed of war on its own border (the Pakistan-Iran border). In addition, Pakistan is currently preoccupied with security problems in the direction of India and Afghanistan.
Secondly, Pakistan has a population with close religious and cultural ties to Iran. The death of the Supreme Leader of Iran and the attacks on Iran have led to protests in a number of Pakistani cities (Karachi, etc.). The government is forced to maintain stability within the country.
Thirdly, Pakistan's assistance to Saudi Arabia is more defensive and deterrent in nature. That is, Pakistani troops can protect Saudi territory (especially around Mecca and Medina), but Pakistan does not plan to attack Iran's interior.
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia may not have requested military assistance from Pakistan yet.
Will the agreement enter into force?
If the attacks on Saudi Arabia continue and threaten the country's existence, Pakistan could send additional air defense systems and specialists to Saudi Arabia, as well as increase its military contingent to strengthen Saudi borders, in accordance with the 2025 Defense Agreement.
Pakistan is currently fully supporting Saudi Arabia diplomatically and morally. However, entering into a direct military conflict with Iran is a last resort for Pakistan. For now, it is focusing on resolving the situation through dialogue and passively defending Saudi territory.
Turkey also wanted to join this agreement
On January 16 of this year, Turkey also wanted to join the defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. But problems were emerging.
Experts say that Turkey's accession to this agreement and this agreement is a very important agreement for establishing security in the region.
At the time, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that talks were underway with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, but no agreement had been signed yet.
Fidan said that Turkey's main goal was to "form a more comprehensive regional security platform."
The initial report on Turkey's joining the defense alliance formed by Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in September last year was published by Bloomberg.
The report noted that there had been significant progress in the talks between the three countries and noted that Turkey's inclusion in the process could have a serious impact on the regional security balance.
