Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has revealed that following the landmark defence pact with Saudi Arabia, several other Arab and Muslim countries are expressing interest in joining the agreement, potentially paving the way for a “Muslim NATO-style alliance.”
Speaking during a session of the National Assembly, Dar highlighted the strategic depth of Pakistan’s ties with Saudi Arabia, calling the defence pact a “historic breakthrough” and hinting that it could evolve into a Middle Eastern version of NATO.
“Our decades-old relationship with Saudi Arabia is no secret. Every Pakistani holds deep reverence for the sanctity of the Haramain. By the grace of God, we’ve been made protectors of the holy sites,” Dar said.
The defence pact, signed on September 17, formalises mutual commitment: any act of aggression against one state will be deemed an act of aggression against both, reaffirming a united stance for peace, stability, and defence in the region and beyond.
Dar emphasized that if this agreement had existed earlier, an Indian strike on Pakistan would have been considered a direct attack on Saudi Arabia as well.
He said that the prime minister would share further details of the pact, but stressed that multiple other countries are already signaling readiness to become part of this new regional security framework.
“This will be a collective shield for the Islamic world. We are grateful to God that this alliance is forming during our tenure,” Dar added, asserting that Pakistan has now become a protector of the Islamic world.
He also alluded to sensitive national security matters, stating:
“Some secrets are buried deep in our hearts and will remain so. They will never come to light.”
The Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) marks a major geopolitical development in the region, where mutual threats; particularly from shared adversaries and non-state actors, are driving stronger military cooperation. Regional analysts view the pact as a strategic realignment that may shape a broader Muslim military alliance aimed at ensuring collective defence, stability, and deterrence in a volatile region.
