Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said it was signed recently Parker Sudy National Defense Agreement The relationship between the two countries has been “formal” and this relationship was previously “a bit of a deal”.
Asif is interview With reporter Mehdi Hasan Zeteo. The full interview is behind the paywall, but the media company shared five minutes of previews and editing on social media.
On September 17, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a “strategic mutual defense” in Riyadh and promised that any attack on any country would be regarded as an act of aggression against both.
Before, Asif had suggestion Pakistan’s nuclear energy can be provided to Riyadh under the new framework. However, in subsequent interviews, the minister denied that nuclear weapons were part of the agreement, saying they were “not on the radar.”
In the preview of the release Zeteos On Friday night’s website, Hassan asked Asif about the defense agreement.
“What is right is it Israeli bombing or Qatar? He asked.
“This is not a reaction to what happened in Qatar, because it has been going on for quite some time. So it is not a reaction; maybe it must have accelerated a little bit, but that’s all. It’s already bursting,” Asif replied. ”
Hassan then pointed out that Pakistan is the only nuclear force in the Muslim world and noted that Saudi Arabia expressed interest in the second one. He also pointed out that Asif had statement The nuclear weapons in the agreement are “not on the radar.”
“Are you protected by Pakistan’s nuclear umbrellas under this agreement?” he asked.
“We have a long defensive relationship with Saudi Arabia, tense for five to sixty years. We have a military presence there, maybe at peak more than four or five thousand, and we still have a military presence there. Deal,” Asif replied.
“With or without nuclear weapons?” Hassan probed.
However, the Minister avoids detailed introductions.
“I will avoid getting into the details, but it is a defense agreement and usually does not discuss the defense agreement publicly,” he said.
Hassan then pointed out that journalist Bob Woodward in his 2024 book warhas quoted the ratings of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who can “buy” bombs from Pakistan.
The minister replied: “I think it’s just a sensation (…) No, I don’t believe this.”
“So, are you not engaged in the business of selling nuclear weapons to Saudi Arabia?”
“No. We are very responsible people,” Asif replied.
