Alliance Only On Paper? Pakistan’s Cautious Iran War Response Tests Saudi Defence Pact | Exclusive

Last Updated:March 16, 2026, 15:13 IST

Analysts say Pakistan seems unwilling, as a direct military role against Iran would risk retaliation from a nuclear-armed neighbour sharing a sensitive border

Pakistan’s restrained response to the escalating conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia has exposed the limits of the two countries’ recently signed defence pact, even as Islamabad insists it stands firmly with Riyadh.

The tensions intensified in March 2026 after Iranian strikes targeted Saudi assets, bringing into focus the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) signed by the two countries in September 2025. The pact’s central clause treats an attack on one as an attack on both, raising expectations in Riyadh that Islamabad would play a more direct role if hostilities escalated.

However, Pakistan has so far stopped short of deploying troops or offering direct combat assistance. While the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has repeatedly reiterated “unquestioned solidarity" with the kingdom, its response has been measured and largely diplomatic.

Senior-level engagements continue between the two sides. Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir held meetings in Riyadh on March 6-7 with Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman to discuss coordination and ways to halt Iranian strikes. Yet, despite these consultations, Islamabad has avoided activating the full military provisions of the defence pact.

Instead, Pakistan has opened a separate military front along its western border. The army has intensified operations against militant groups under Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, targeting Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and Taliban-linked targets in neighbouring Afghanistan. The timing of the operation—amid rising tensions in the Middle East—has provided Islamabad with a justification for its limited engagement in the Saudi-Iran crisis.

Analysts say the move reflects Pakistan’s long-standing strategy of calibrated restraint in complex regional conflicts. A direct military role against Iran would risk retaliation from a nuclear-armed neighbour sharing a sensitive border. It could also inflame domestic sectarian tensions in a country with a significant Shia population.

For Saudi Arabia, the cautious stance has reportedly caused frustration. Riyadh had expected stronger backing under the 2025 defence pact, especially as Iranian attacks intensified.

Security experts note that the current episode highlights how the SMDA functions more as a diplomatic and symbolic instrument rather than a trigger for automatic military intervention.

The pattern also reflects Pakistan’s broader foreign policy approach of strategic ambiguity and multi-alignment. Over the years, Islamabad has entered formal security partnerships to secure financial aid, oil credits from Gulf states, military equipment from China, and previously security assistance from the United States while retaining flexibility in times of crisis.

As tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia continue to simmer, Pakistan appears determined to balance its commitments to Riyadh with its own security calculations—once again walking a careful line between alliance and non-engagement.

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