The new Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Rajeh Tami Albugamy, met Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday, and both sides expressed satisfaction with progress made under the trilateral Makkah defence agreement. The Inter-Service Public Relations directorate, known as ISPR, said in a statement that the meeting took place at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. Albugamy had taken up his diplomatic duties in Islamabad the previous Thursday, and the military's media wing said the two men discussed matters of mutual interest and regional security.
Early engagements in Islamabad
According to ISPR, Munir congratulated the envoy on his appointment and said he expected Albugamy's tenure to deepen the long-standing fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The statement described those ties as rooted in shared faith, mutual trust and strategic partnership. Last week, the ambassador also met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
During his meeting with Albugamy, Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan's support for Saudi Arabia in protecting its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. He did so amid a recent escalation in Houthi attacks. Deputy Prime Minister Dar stressed the same long-standing ties and reaffirmed a shared commitment to deeper bilateral cooperation for mutual progress and prosperity.
Defence pacts and the Houthi attacks
Islamabad and Riyadh have signed two defence pacts designed for collective deterrence. One is the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between the two countries. The other is the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance, which also includes Turkiye. The Makkah defence pact, signed on August 7, aims to strengthen collective deterrence and treats an attack on one signatory as an attack on all.
Earlier this month, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye held an emergency meeting under the Makkah alliance and agreed to deploy military forces and capabilities rapidly in the kingdom. ISPR's statement did not name any specific threat, but the development came as Yemen's Houthi rebels kept attacking Saudi Arabia. In an interview aired on Sunday, the military's spokesman said Pakistan was providing "whatever support is needed" to defend the kingdom.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- August 7: The Makkah defence pact is signed, aimed at collective deterrence among its signatories.
- Earlier this month: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye hold an emergency meeting under the Makkah alliance and agree to rapid deployment of forces.
- Last Thursday: Albugamy assumes his diplomatic responsibilities in Islamabad.
- Last week: The envoy meets Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
- Sunday: The military's spokesman says Pakistan is providing whatever support is needed to defend Saudi Arabia.
- Monday: The envoy calls on CDF Munir at GHQ in Rawalpindi.
The statements did not announce further meetings or specific deployment dates.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Saudi Arabia ke naye ambassador Dr Rajeh Tami Albugamy ne CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir se mulaqat ki, aur dono taraf ne Makkah defence pact ki pesh raft par itminaan zahir kiya. Pakistan ne Houthi hamlon ke darmiyan Saudi Arabia ki sovereignty aur security ke liye madad jaari rakhne ka izhaar kiya hai. Aam shehri ke liye iska fori asar qeematon ya bills par nazar nahi aata, lekin yeh khitte ki security se judi khabar hai. Aage ke faislon ke liye official bayanat par nazar rakhein.
