Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday arrived in Riyadh on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, marking another step in the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries.
Upon his arrival at King Khalid International Airport on Tuesday evening, the interior minister was received by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif.
The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss matters of mutual interest, including enhancing collaboration in internal security, combating narcotics trafficking, and expanding institutional cooperation between the two interior ministries.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained strong strategic ties for decades, with both countries regularly engaging at the highest levels to deepen cooperation across political, economic, security, and defense sectors.
In September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement”, declaring that “any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both”. The pact was signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The Kingdom’s defence ministry said in early April that Pakistan sent fighter jets and other military forces to Saudi Arabia to boost security under a defence pact between the two countries.
Read: Pakistan sends fighter jets to Saudi Arabia under mutual defence pact
“The Pakistani force consists of fighter and support aircraft belonging to the Pakistan Air Force, with the aim of enhancing joint military coordination,” the statement said, adding that it would raise the level of operational readiness between the armed forces of the two countries and support security and stability at both regional and international levels.
In late May, it was announced that 200 personnel from the Federal Constabulary Special Diplomatic Protection Unit would receive training in Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh and Islamabad signed the mutual defence pact in September 2025, committing both sides to treat any aggression against either country as an attack on both. That significantly deepened a decades-old security partnership.
Pakistan has long provided military support to the kingdom, including training and advisory deployments, while Saudi Arabia has repeatedly stepped in to support Pakistan financially during periods of economic stress.
Saudi Arabia in April announced a $3 billion additional deposit to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and extended an existing $ 5 billion deposit, in a move aimed at supporting the country’s economy.
In 2018, Riyadh announced a $6 billion support package for Pakistan, including a $3 billion deposit at the central bank and $3 billion worth of oil supplies on deferred payment.Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express TribuneAPPRead More