Could Saudi Arabia use Pakistan's nuclear weapons after the defense deal? Pakistani Defense Minister reveals

News Topical, Digital Desk : Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has made contradictory statements on the issue of providing Pakistani nuclear weapons to Saudi Arabia under a new defence agreement.

In an earlier interview with Geo TV, when asked whether the "security Pakistan enjoys from nuclear weapons" would also be extended to Saudi Arabia, he said, “Let me be clear about Pakistan's nuclear capability: we have proven this capability long ago through our own tests. Furthermore, we have a trained military for war. Whatever we have, and whatever capabilities we possess, will be transferred to Saudi Arabia in accordance with this agreement.”

However, in an interview with Reuters, he denied that nuclear weapons were part of the agreement, saying they were "not under discussion right now."

Dawn News reported this report, citing Reuters. Later, at the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan did not directly address the issue. He only said that Pakistan's nuclear doctrine “has evolved and will continue to evolve.”

Attacking Pakistan or Saudi Arabia is an attack on both countries: Khawaja Asif

Meanwhile, Khawaja Asif claimed in an interview with Geo TV that any attack on either Pakistan or Saudi Arabia would be considered an attack on both countries, and both countries would respond jointly. He said, “If there is an attack on either Pakistan or Saudi Arabia from anywhere, it will be considered an attack on both countries, and we will respond jointly.”

Both countries seal the 'Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement'

However, the new defense pact between the two countries, officially called the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement, was signed in Riyadh this week. It promises joint defense in the event of an attack on either country and is being presented as a strengthening of decades-old security ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Other countries have also shown interest in defence agreements: Ishaq Dar

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said that following the agreement with Saudi Arabia, other countries have also expressed interest in similar strategic defense agreements with Islamabad. Speaking to reporters in London, he said, "It's too early to say anything about this. But, following this incident, other countries have also expressed interest in similar agreements."

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