DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Pakistan's Defense Minister, Khawaja Mohammad Asif, stated that the country's nuclear program "will be made available" to Saudi Arabia under a newly signed defense pact, marking a significant development in the military ties between the two nations. This declaration emphasizes the emerging partnership, as Islamabad officially acknowledges that it has placed the kingdom under its nuclear umbrella.
Asif's remarks came during an interview with Geo TV, where he addressed questions regarding whether Pakistan's nuclear deterrent capabilities would extend to Saudi Arabia. He articulated, "Let me make one point clear about Pakistan's nuclear capability: that capability was established long ago when we conducted tests. Since then, we have forces trained for the battlefield." He further indicated that the provisions of the agreement would allow for the transfer of these critical capabilities to Saudi Arabia, underscoring the gravity of the agreement signed earlier this week, which pledges mutual defense against potential aggressions.
The defense pact, established on Wednesday, declares that any attack on one of the allied nations would be considered an attack on both, thus enhancing their military collaboration amidst a region fraught with tension. Analysts perceive this step as a direct signal to Israel, which is estimated to be the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East. The timing of Asif's comments coincides with heightened concerns in Gulf Arab nations regarding safety in light of Israel's recent military actions, specifically an attack targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar that resulted in the death of six individuals.
Historically, Saudi Arabia has been linked to Pakistan's nuclear ambitions. Retired Pakistani Brig. Gen. Feroz Hassan Khan has noted that Saudi Arabia provided significant financial backing to Pakistan, enabling the country to pursue its nuclear program, particularly during times of international sanctions. These sanctions were implemented over Pakistan's nuclear pursuits and were intensified under the Biden administration, especially concerning its ballistic missile developments.
Pakistan's nuclear weapons program was largely developed as a counterbalance to India's nuclear capabilities, with the two countries having a contentious history marked by several conflicts. Recent tensions flared up again following an attack on tourists in April 2023 in Indian-controlled Kashmir, bringing the two nuclear-armed neighbors close to potential military confrontation. As per estimates published by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, India is believed to possess around 172 nuclear warheads, while Pakistan has approximately 170.
Although both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have remained relatively silent on the specifics of the defense pact and the implications for accessing Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, Asif's comments clearly indicate that the defense agreement encompasses nuclear deterrent support. This development not only signifies a bolstering of their bilateral relations but also raises questions about the broader geopolitical dynamics in the region, particularly in relation to Israel.
Ahmed reported from Islamabad. The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape can be found at this link.
Report contributed by Jon Gambrell and Munir Ahmed, The Associated Press.
