Analysts said Saudi-Pakistani ties have moved beyond partnership to actively shaping stability and peace, describing Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the Kingdom as evidence of deep strategic alignment on fast-moving regional developments.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, they said the visit comes amid intensified consultations to de-escalate tensions and push toward an agreement to end the Iran war, with the aim of securing regional stability.
In Jeddah on Wednesday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Sharif held talks on regional developments and the US-Iran negotiations, which are being hosted by Islamabad.
Aligning positions
Ali Awadh Asseri, Saudi Arabia’s former ambassador to Pakistan, said the visit reflects sustained high-level coordination on regional and international issues, underscoring Islamabad’s commitment to close alignment with Riyadh.
Abdullah Al-Rifai, a media professor at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud University, said the partnership has shifted from coordination to actively shaping stability.
“This is not protocol diplomacy,” he said. “In a volatile region where crises and interests overlap, these moves are reshaping the balance of stability.”
He said repeated visits by Pakistani officials signal a deeper strategic effort to build a unified stance on regional shifts, closely tied to Pakistan’s role in mediation.
Depth of ties
Asseri described the relationship as a durable strategic partnership rooted in shared beliefs.
“It has remained steady and grown stronger with each leadership,” he said.
He added that Pakistan consults Saudi leadership on key issues, including its relations with other states and the war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
A two-week truce has been reached, he said, with hopes of an extension and ongoing dialogue that could end the conflict.
Mutlaq Al-Mutairi, a political media professor at King Saud University, said the relationship has evolved into a multidimensional partnership spanning politics, security, and the economy, focused on managing crises, preventing escalation, and building lasting stability.
Frequent visits reflect continuous consultation, not protocol, particularly in a tense regional environment, he said, with discussions covering tensions, maritime security, and energy.
Prioritizing peace
Asseri said Saudi Arabia does not seek war and supports Pakistan’s hosting of US-Iran consultations.
He said Pakistan’s balanced ties position it as a credible mediator, citing its long-standing relationship with the United States since 1971, its role in US-China relations and the Vietnam War, its alliance with Washington in the war on terrorism, its role in the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, and its ties with neighboring Iran.
Al-Rifai said Islamabad is leveraging those ties to push political solutions, backed by Saudi Arabia’s consistent preference for de-escalation.
Al-Mutairi said Riyadh’s support reflects a smart division of roles, combining Pakistan’s links to Washington and Tehran with Saudi Arabia’s global political and economic weight.
Saudi Arabia’s experience shows stability is built through balance, not force, Al-Rifai said, reinforcing its role as a pillar of regional and global stability.
Al-Mutairi added that Saudi efforts also aim to safeguard energy markets, secure trade routes, and support the investment climate.
Strategic vision
Al-Rifai said Saudi Arabia has become a political and economic actor capable of shaping crises and building alliances that strengthen collective security.
“This role is grounded in political weight, a resilient economy, and a clear strategy to make stability lasting,” he said.
On Iran, Asseri described it as a source of regional instability, noting that former US presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden took different approaches from Donald Trump, who withdrew from the nuclear deal over concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Saudi Arabia hopes Iran becomes a stable neighbor that does not threaten the region, he said.
He added that Vision 2030 reflects a peaceful, development-focused approach. Saudi Arabia sought solutions with Iran, including the Beijing agreement, but Iran did not uphold its commitments, he said.
Balanced protection
Asseri said military cooperation dates back to the 1970s, including Pakistani involvement in training Saudi forces and a 1982 agreement.
The recent presence of Pakistani forces in the Kingdom under a joint defense agreement reflects Islamabad’s commitment to Riyadh, he said.
“Pakistan would not abandon Saudi Arabia if it were attacked, even without an agreement,” he said.
Al-Mutairi said the military presence reflects deep-rooted defense ties and mutual trust, within legitimate cooperation between sovereign states.
Al-Rifai said it underscores a security partnership that supports regional stability while avoiding open confrontation.
Deepening economic ties
Al-Rifai said the relationship is expanding into economic cooperation built on shared interests and investment opportunities.
Al-Mutairi said the economic track has become central, driven by Saudi Vision 2030 and Pakistan’s need for investment and energy, with a focus on energy, infrastructure, mining, and agriculture.
Asseri said Saudi support to Pakistan’s central bank includes liquidity support and deferred oil payments, as well as humanitarian aid.
Activating agreements
Asseri said agreements signed during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visits to Islamabad must now be implemented.
He pointed to Pakistan’s strengths in defense manufacturing, surgical equipment exports to Europe, and cotton exports to US companies, but said these opportunities are under-marketed to Saudi investors.
He called for stronger engagement between business communities, including visits and forums, noting that more than 120 Pakistani companies already operate in Saudi Arabia.
