In his conversation with “Sputnik,” he added that the current challenges necessitate the formation of a joint Arab force, although the United States would categorically reject this. According to the Egyptian military expert, Egypt was the first to call for the establishment of a joint Arab force to protect Arab national security. However, differing interests and relations with international parties have prevented this, similar to the “Islamic NATO” which Washington opposes, meaning that it cannot be relied upon to form an Islamic military alliance. Farag pointed out that the use of Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities in favor of Saudi Arabia is unlikely, especially since in “international norms,” the nuclear umbrella is not granted, as seen with Iran, which has not received a nuclear umbrella from its allies.
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif announced today, Friday, that his country’s nuclear program would be available to Saudi Arabia if necessary, according to the joint defense agreement between the two countries. The Pakistani website “Dawn” quoted Muhammad Asif as saying, “It is the basic right of the countries and people here, especially the Muslim population, to defend their region, countries, and nations together.”
Regarding the possibility of more Arab countries joining the joint defense agreement with Pakistan, he said, “I cannot answer this prematurely, but I will certainly say that the doors are not closed.” Muhammad Asif stated that “the agreement does not include any clause excluding other countries, nor does it prevent Pakistan from signing a similar agreement with additional parties.”
Regarding the inclusion of Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities in the agreement, Asif said, “But let me clarify that since Pakistan became a nuclear state, no one has ever doubted our status as a responsible nuclear power.” He emphasized that Pakistan has consistently opened its nuclear facilities for inspection and has committed no violations, adding, “This contrasts with Israel, which has not allowed any inspection of its facilities.”
Last Wednesday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Prime Minister of Islamic Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, signed an agreement. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the Saudi and Pakistani sides signed a joint strategic defense agreement, highlighting the deep fraternal relations between the leaderships of both countries.
