Author: Ajmal Sohail
In recent months, headlines have been dominated by reports of a simmering conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Observers may be misled into believing that this so-called war is a reaction to rising tensions on the border or a response to Afghan provocations. In truth, it is a deliberate distraction orchestrated by the Pakistani military—an effort to sidestep a far more consequential obligation: the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) with Saudi Arabia.
The SMDA, designed to ensure military support for Saudi Arabia in the event of an attack, is now being treated as an inconvenient commitment by Islamabad. The Pakistani leadership has used the Afghan conflict as a convenient excuse for its inability to deploy forces in defense of Saudi interests, particularly in the face of mounting threats from Iran. This manufactured military engagement with Afghanistan serves to justify Pakistan’s reluctance to fulfill its regional security responsibilities.
The stakes are high. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has summoned both Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir on multiple occasions to press Pakistan to honor its SMDA pledge. Each time, the response is diplomatic—crafting language that avoids direct refusal, but ultimately falls back on the pretext of ongoing military operations with Afghanistan. This tactic, while clever, has worn thin for Riyadh. The Crown Prince’s patience is running out, frustrated by Pakistan’s repeated failures to abide by the agreement.
Adding insult to injury is the misleading narrative of Pakistani forces and air defense systems being “deployed” in Saudi Arabia. In reality, Islamabad has maintained a contingent in the Kingdom for decades, yet these troops have had little impact during times of actual conflict. The new deployments are, at best, symbolic—at worst, a calculated misrepresentation meant to placate Saudi concerns without delivering true strategic support.
Pakistan’s evasive maneuvers not only threaten the stability of its relationship with Saudi Arabia, but also undermine the credibility of its regional security commitments. As Iran’s influence grows and the possibility of wider conflict looms, Islamabad’s reluctance to stand by its allies could have far-reaching consequences. It is time for Pakistan to confront its responsibilities head-on, rather than concocting distractions that risk alienating a long-time partner.