Shehbaz-Asim teamwork behind game-changing Pak-Saudi defence deal

ISLAMABAD: The historic defence and strategic cooperation agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is being described as the outcome of the extraordinary understanding and coordination between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

A senior government source told The News that the level of trust and mutual confidence between the country’s political and military leadership today is unprecedented, and this unity has enabled Pakistan to achieve milestones of great national significance.

“There a unique harmonious relationship between the two based on pure national interest and focussed on the development of Pakistan,” a top aide of the PM told The News, adding, “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir are working in complete harmony, with seamless coordination and a shared vision for Pakistan’s foreign and defence policy.”

The source further noted that during the recent Pakistan-India war- which ended in what was described as Pakistan’s “remarkable victory”- the civil and military leadership displayed an exceptional level of unity and understanding. Their collaboration covered military, diplomatic, and political responses, ensuring that the country’s strategic objectives were met with clarity and effectiveness. According to the source, this same trust-based partnership has underpinned the breakthrough with Saudi Arabia. The high-level defence pact, which is being termed “historic,” reflects months of carefully coordinated diplomacy backed by the top civil-military leadership.

In the past disinformation was spread disinformation about supposed rifts between the civil and military leadership but sources from both sides have been confirming that there is complete alignment between the Prime Minister and the Army Chief- something the country has not seen in many years.

The Shehbaz-Asim understanding, built on mutual respect and a shared sense of responsibility, became a decisive factor in Pakistan’s foreign policy engagements- whether with Riyadh, Washington, or in the regional security environment.