Saudi Arabia signs mutual defence pact with Pakistan

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a mutual defence pact that defines any attack on either nation as an attack on both - a key accord in the wake of Israel's strike on Qatar last week.

- Associated Press

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman signed the pact on Wednesday with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

The pact marks the first major defence decision by a Gulf Arab country since the Qatar attack. The United States, long the security guarantor for the Gulf Arab states, also did not respond to questions posed to the State Department.

While not specifically discussing the bomb, the agreement states "any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both," according to statements issued by both Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Ministry and the state-run Saudi Press Agency.

"This agreement... aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression," the statement said.

A senior Saudi official, speaking on condition of anonymity to The Financial Times, seemed to suggest that Pakistan's nuclear protection was a part of the deal, saying it "will utilise all defensive and military means deemed necessary depending on the specific threat."