This is apropos a letter to the Editor titled ‘Security, without the usual guarantor’ carried by the newspaper yesterday.
In my view, the emerging partnership between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey is therefore a logical development. Each brings different capabilities and strategic advantages. Pakistan possesses substantial military experience and capabilities, Turkiye has developed a significant defence industry and Saudi Arabia brings considerable financial resources and a central position in Gulf security. Combining these strengths could improve deterrence, intelligence cooperation, military preparedness and access to defence technology. The agreement’s provisions for logistical support, operational cooperation and defence production suggest that the partnership could eventually extend well beyond conventional mutual defence commitments.
There will inevitably be limitations. The three countries have distinct security priorities, diplomatic relationships and domestic political constraints. Turkiye’s NATO membership introduces additional considerations, while its constitution requires separate parliamentary authorisation for overseas troop deployments. The agreement itself provides for members to assess the assistance required and determine the scope of their contribution. Such qualifications are important because mutual defence arrangements ultimately depend on political decisions taken under circumstances that cannot be fully anticipated when agreements are signed.
Sanam Mehdi Hasan, Lahore
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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