Pakistan, Oct. 3 -- ISLAMABAD - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan's defence pact with Saudi Arabia is not a sudden deal. Speaking in the National Assembly, he said the agreement is the first step toward a broader military alliance. Dar added that many Arab and Muslim countries now wish to join this pact. He described it as a future "NATO-style" alliance for the Islamic world.

Dar said the Pakistan-Saudi defence agreement is historic and deeply rooted in decades of trust. "Every Pakistani is ready to protect the Haramain with their life," he stated. He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will soon share full details of the agreement. The alliance is expected to grow into a powerful collective sec...