Pakistani forces have maintained a long standing presence in Saudi Arabia spanning multiple capabilities and domains. This fact was clearly stated by Inter Services Public Relations Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry during a recent press conference.
When asked by CNN about the presence of Pakistani troops or personnel on the ground in the kingdom under the Makkah alliance, the ISPR DG confirmed that forces have been stationed there for decades. He emphasized that Pakistani troops operate across various roles and areas of expertise already established in Saudi Arabia.
Lt Gen Chaudhry explained that the Makkah alliance did not appear suddenly. It builds upon decades of deep diplomatic, political, military, and people to people connections between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye. These three nations share a strong strategic relationship that forms the foundation of their current cooperation.
The comments follow an important development where Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye agreed to put their collective defence commitments into action without delay. They decided to ensure the rapid deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities inside Saudi Arabia. This decision emerged from an emergency meeting of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement held in Riyadh.
According to a joint statement released by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the deployment will follow approved arrangements and respect the national laws of each country. The goal is to improve readiness, strengthen military integration, and boost collective capacity among the partners.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement itself was signed by the three countries in August. Under its terms, an armed attack against any one member is treated as an attack against all. This mutual defence pledge underscores the seriousness of their partnership.
Lt Gen Chaudhry’s remarks highlight continuity rather than a new beginning. Pakistani troops have supported Saudi Arabia for a long time in different operational domains. The latest steps simply formalize and expand that existing cooperation under a clearer collective framework. The three nations continue to deepen their strategic relationship through practical military measures that enhance security for all involved.
This long term presence of Pakistani troops in the kingdom reflects trust built over years and now gains further structure through the Makkah pact.
