������Ƶ

RIYADH: Pakistan’s ambassador to ������Ƶ has hailed his country’s close security ties with ������Ƶ.

The Kingdom and Pakistan signed a landmark defense pact last month in Riyadh during Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to ������Ƶ.

And Ahmad Farooq, Pakistan’s ambassador to the Kingdom, told Arab News: “Pakistan and ������Ƶ share longstanding and historic brotherly ties, rooted in our shared faith, common culture, and deep people-to-people connections.

“The signing of the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement is a natural continuation of this enduring fraternal bond. It reflects our shared commitment to enhancing security, promoting peace in the region and beyond, and developing closer defense cooperation.

“Importantly, it also strengthens our joint capacity for deterrence against any aggression.”

The two nations have vowed to protect each other’s sovereignty, and added that “aggression against one country would be treated as an attack on both.”

Farooq said: “The Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement further formalizes the decades-old, robust defense partnership between Pakistan and ������Ƶ. It will contribute to regional peace, security, and long-term stability.”

The agreement builds on the partnership between ������Ƶ and Pakistan, and is based on the bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity, as well as shared strategic interests and close defense cooperation between the two countries.

The Kingdom Tower, a prominent landmark in Riyadh, was illuminated with the flags of both ������Ƶ and Pakistan following the signing of the defense agreement.

Asked about how the agreement would affect economic development between the two countries, the ambassador said: “Economic cooperation … remains dynamic and is continuing on a positive trajectory. Pakistan and ������Ƶ enjoy a long and distinguished history of brotherhood and cooperation.”

He added: “The bilateral relations are unique, enduring, and multifaceted. The leadership of the two countries shares a common vision to take it to new heights. The relationship lives in the hearts of the people of the two countries. The positive trajectory in defense cooperation is a continuation of a decades-old defense partnership.”

The relationship between the countries, which was established in 1947, has evolved into a comprehensive partnership spanning diplomatic, economic, and military spheres.

The foundation of this bond was laid in September 1947, when ������Ƶ became one of the first countries to recognize Pakistan following its independence. This recognition was quickly followed by the signing of a Treaty of Friendship in 1951, which formally cemented bilateral ties.

The two nations have engaged in frequent high-level diplomatic exchanges ever since. The first of these state-level visits occurred in 1953 when Ghulam Muhammad, Pakistan’s governor general, traveled to ������Ƶ.

King Saud reciprocated with a visit to Karachi in 1954 to inaugurate a housing project.

The economic and social dimensions of the relationship deepened significantly from the 1970s to the 1980s, a period that saw a substantial migration of Pakistani workers to the Kingdom.

Individuals, including engineers, doctors, and laborers, contributed to ������Ƶ’s modernization efforts. It is estimated that the Kingdom is home to over 2 million Pakistanis, who have played a critical role in the development of the country’s infrastructure.