Mushahid Hussain unveils Think Tank report on Pakistan-Saudi Defence Pact: Calls It “First Muslim Defence Agreement”

ISLAMABAD: Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, today launched a comprehensive think tank report analyzing the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Defence Agreement, signed on September 17, 2025.

At a press event in Islamabad, he hailed the pact as the “first Muslim Defence Pact” and a “plus for Pakistan’s new Middle East role”, marking a historic shift in the region’s security landscape.

The 31-page report titled “Pakistan & Saudi Arabia: Muslim World’s Strategic Security Partners” outlines the significance, implications, and geopolitical context of the agreement. It includes a foreword by Senator Mushahid, a fact sheet on diplomatic and military milestones in Pakistan-Saudi relations, and a review of Pakistan’s long-standing role in providing security to Muslim countries.

Senator Mushahid attributed the defence pact to a strategic convergence between Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Saudi Crown Prince & PM Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) — whom he praised as a “Muslim reformer, rapidly transforming Saudi Arabia”, drawing comparisons to China’s Deng Xiaoping. He said MBS could be the “most consequential Saudi leader since King Faisal.”

Mushahid pointed to recent Israeli aggression against Qatar as a turning point. He said Israel has now targeted six Muslim countries — Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Qatar — in pursuit of its “Greater Israel” strategy. The attack on Qatar, a U.S. ally and host to the largest American base in the region, exposed the unreliability of U.S. security guarantees, prompting Muslim states to seek alternative security partnerships.

With U.S. credibility waning, Pakistan has emerged as a “net security provider” for the Muslim world. Mushahid emphasized Pakistan’s military professionalism, regional influence, and a track record of cooperation, including providing security for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and past assistance during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War.

The senator said Pakistan’s victory over India in May 2025 boosted its regional credibility. He noted that Pakistan’s forces downed over 80 Israeli Harop drones, showcasing advanced defensive and offensive capabilities. He emphasized that Pakistan had shown it could “take on and defeat India — a key Israeli ally”, earning praise even from U.S. President Donald Trump.

The report also highlights growing Pan-Islamic sentiment and calls for regional unity in the face of emerging threats. Mushahid quoted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who called the pact a “step towards a comprehensive regional security system.” The agreement, he said, reflects a desire among Muslim states for military coordination, from Egypt to Iran.

He argued that the pact has buried the IMEC project — the India-Israel-Middle East Economic Corridor, once touted by President Biden and PM Modi as a counter to China’s Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) and Pakistan’s CPEC. “IMEC now lies buried under the rubble of the Gaza genocide and the sands of Arabia,” he said.

Describing the agreement as a “new template of regional security”, Senator Mushahid said the pact combines Pakistan’s military muscle with Saudi Arabia’s economic strength to deter regional threats. Pakistan’s battle-tested military, he asserted, stands ready to defend Muslim interests across the region.

He emphasized that this was not just a military move but also a diplomatic and ideological shift, noting the rise of the “Battle of Ideas” in global geopolitics. “Muslim think tanks must be prepared to counter disinformation and fake news with credible, research-based narratives,” he said.

This is the third major report launched by Senator Mushahid through the Pakistan-China Institute in recent months, following detailed analyses of:

The Pakistan-India military encounter in May 2025.

The Rwanda-Congo Peace Deal and its global implications.

The think tank’s latest work positions Pakistan as a “Major Muslim Middle Power”, taking on proactive diplomatic and security responsibilities in an increasingly polarized Middle East.

The report is available on the think tank’s website: https://pakistan-china.com/mn-publications.php)