The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has demanded that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif take party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari into confidence over the recently signed Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence agreement upon his return to the country.  PPP spokesperson Shazia Marri said the party was unaware of the details of the agreement and hoped that the prime minister would brief Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari once he is back in Pakistan. 

She stated that the PPP considers the Pakistan-Saudi agreement a positive development. “Whenever there is good news about Pakistan or any diplomatic success, the People’s Party welcomes it wholeheartedly,” she said.  On September 17, 24NewsHD TV channel reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman signed the landmark “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” (SMDA) during the Pakistani premier’s visit to Riyadh. 

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders met at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, where they reviewed the historic and strategic ties between the two nations. The joint statement highlighted that the agreement builds upon an eight-decade partnership rooted in Islamic solidarity, brotherhood, and shared strategic interests. 

The Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement affirms that any aggression against either country will be considered aggression against both. It also seeks to expand defence cooperation and strengthen joint deterrence, with the aim of contributing to peace and security in the region and beyond. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)