Published on, Sept. 22 -- September 22, 2025 4:51 AM

The digital era is reshaping the very meaning of strategic partnerships, with states moving beyond traditional trade and defence pacts toward broader frameworks that encompass technology, innovation, and security. Yet, in the volatile politics of the Middle East, defence remains the defining pillar of power. Against this backdrop, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have unveiled a landmark defence and security agreement that could alter the strategic balance of the region.

The deal, signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent visit to Riyadh, is widely regarded as the most significant transformation of Pakistan-Saudi defence ties in decades. While both nations describe the pact as a n...