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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and �������� on Wednesday signed a “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement” pledging that aggression against one country would be treated as an attack on both, a move that will enhance joint deterrence and strengthen decades of military and security cooperation.

The accord comes less than two weeks after Israeli airstrikes in Doha targeted Hamas leaders, a development that has heightened regional tensions and reinforced the urgency Gulf states place on stronger security and defense partnerships.

The Riyadh agreement also signals a push by both governments to formalize long-standing military ties into a binding security commitment.

The pact was signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh, where he met Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace. The two leaders, joined by senior ministers and military officials, reviewed what Sharif’s office called a “historic and strategic” relationship between the two nations and discussed regional developments.

“The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both,” the joint statement said. 

It described the accord as a reflection of the two governments’ shared commitment to strengthening defense cooperation and “achieving security and peace in the region and the world.”

�������� and Pakistan have for decades maintained close political, military and economic ties. The Kingdom hosts more than 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates — the largest overseas community sending remittances back home — and has repeatedly provided Islamabad with financial support during economic crises. Defense cooperation has included training, arms purchases and joint military exercises.

The new agreement formalizes that cooperation into a mutual defense commitment, a step that analysts widely say places the relationship on par with other strategic partnerships in the region. 

While the statement did not detail implementation mechanisms, it stressed the accord was aimed at “developing aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthening joint deterrence against any aggression.”

The visit also comes as Pakistan looks to bolster ties with Gulf states amid ongoing economic challenges at home.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign was thrown into turmoil this week, with rumors swirling of a dramatic boycott after a row with India, before the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finally confirmed on Wednesday that the national side will play its knockout clash against the UAE.

The dispute erupted on Sunday when Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts at the toss and after the game. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation in protest, while coach Mike Hesson faced the media. The PCB accused match referee Andrew Pycroft of instructing both captains to avoid the handshake, calling it a breach of cricket protocol, and demanded his removal from the rest of the tournament.

Reports in Indian media that the ICC rejected Pakistan’s demand fueled speculation of a walkout, with no pre-match press conference from Pakistan and the team still holed up at their hotel while the UAE players had already reached the stadium.

The start of Wednesday’s match was delayed by an hour. The PCB later said Pycroft had apologized for the “miscommunication” and that the International Cricket Council would open an inquiry into the incident.

“We have asked the Pakistan team to depart for the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Further details to follow,” PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi posted on X, after convening a huddle with former PCB chiefs Najam Sethi and Ramiz Raja. Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council, eventually gave the go-ahead for the team to take the field.

Pakistan, who must beat the UAE to stay alive in the tournament, could set up yet another clash with India in the Super Four stage. India currently top the group after wins over both Pakistan and the UAE.

Sunday’s ill-tempered match came just months after the two countries fought a brief border war sparked by the April 22 attack in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir. The clash, halted only after US President Donald Trump’s intervention, left ties at their lowest in years.

Calls for a boycott were loud in India ahead of the Asia Cup, though New Delhi cleared participation under its policy of only allowing games against Pakistan in multilateral tournaments.

The neighbors have not played a full bilateral series since 2012, underscoring how political tensions continue to spill over into sport.