Motiwala hails Pakistan–Saudi strategic defense pact as milestone in bilateral ties

Business Reporter

Karachi: Chairman of the Businessmen Group (BMG) and former president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, has welcomed the signing of the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, terming it a “defining milestone” in bilateral relations.

The agreement, signed in Riyadh on Wednesday by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, commits both nations to treat any aggression against either as aggression against both. Officials said the pact builds on nearly eight decades of partnership, shared Islamic solidarity, and mutual security interests.

In his statement, Motiwala said the accord not only guarantees the sanctity of Haramain Sharifain but also elevates the Pakistan–Saudi relationship to a new strategic level. He extended congratulations to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir, and the federal cabinet for securing the agreement.

Motiwala stressed that while the pact centers on defense, its long-term implications include expanded cooperation in trade, investment, education, and industrial growth. He pointed to opportunities in skill development, infrastructure, joint ventures in energy and petrochemicals, and Saudi investments in Pakistan’s ports and cities, particularly Karachi.

He urged Pakistan’s business community to proactively engage with Saudi counterparts to fully capitalize on these prospects. “This agreement is not just a defense pact but the dawn of a new chapter in Pakistan–Saudi brotherhood,” he said.

The prime minister’s visit to Riyadh included talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace. In a post on X, Shehbaz Sharif described the reception — including a Royal Saudi Air Force escort — as a symbol of “abiding love and mutual respect.”

The joint statement released by both governments emphasized enhanced defense cooperation, regional stability, and closer people-to-people ties.