Khawaja Asif News / No nuclear shield will be provided... Pak Defence Minister himself blew the lid off the Saudi deal

Khawaja Asif News: Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has categorically dismissed speculation surrounding the recent defense agreement with Saudi Arabia. Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Khawaja clarified that the deal does not include any provision for providing nuclear weapons or nuclear shields to Saudi Arabia. He stressed, "Nuclear weapons are solely for Pakistan's security and sovereignty. We cannot give them to any other country."

Khwaja's Statement: No Bargaining on Nuclear Weapons

Khwaja said that Pakistan developed nuclear weapons to protect its own defense and sovereignty. "Our nuclear program is designed to ensure that no country dares to attack us. We will not make any kind of deal regarding this. Our agreement with Saudi Arabia is completely transparent," he clarified. This statement dismisses rumors that Pakistan had promised to provide nuclear weapons to Saudi Arabia.

Significance and Background of the Deal

On September 18, 2025, in Riyadh, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir signed a landmark defense agreement with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman. Under this agreement, both countries pledged to jointly combat external threats. The agreement provides that an attack on either country would be considered an attack on both.

Following this deal, discussions intensified in the Middle East about whether Pakistan was going to provide nuclear weapons to Saudi Arabia. Currently, only Israel possesses nuclear weapons in the Middle East, with over 90 nuclear warheads according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), although Israel has never officially confirmed this.

Why is Khawaja's statement significant?

Khwaja Asif's statement is significant because it not only clarifies the nature of the Saudi-Pakistan defense agreement but also addresses concerns raised at the regional and global levels. The proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East is a sensitive issue, and Khawaja's statement is an attempt to defuse the debate.

Planning for Further Cooperation with Gulf Countries

Khwaja also stated that the draft of the deal has been shared with all relevant parties. He said, "We will talk to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. We will engage any country that wishes to work jointly with us. Our goal is to unite all Muslim countries." This statement reflects Pakistan's strategy to promote regional unity.

Iran and Regional Equations

This deal between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan has increased the suspense regarding Iran. The regional rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran is no secret. Pakistan, Iran's neighbor, is in a vulnerable position following this deal. Iran has not yet made any official comment on the matter, further increasing the possibility of regional tensions.

Pakistan's Claim: Protecting the Holy Mosques

Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ata Tarar, described the deal as a step to "protect the holy mosques." He said, "Israel is constantly targeting Gulf countries. Through this deal, we have reduced the risk of any potential attack on Saudi Arabia." Tarar's statement gives the deal religious and strategic significance.