ISLAMABAD: Pakistani political leaders, at a ceremony in Islamabad to mark Saudi Arabia's 95th National Day, on Tuesday hailed a recent defense pact between Pakistan and the Kingdom as a major milestone in their bilateral ties and a "message of unity for the Muslim Ummah."
The event was organized by the Saudi embassy in Islamabad at the spacious Convention Centre to accommodate thousands of guests, including politicians, civil and military officers, religious party leaders and the general public.
The Pakistani capital was decorated with Saudi flags and pictures of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, with buildings adorned with green lights symbolizing the color of the Saudi flag.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of Pakistan's Senate, Yousuf Raza Gilani, said the ‘Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement’ between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reflected their shared commitment to each other's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
“Protecting the land of the Two Holy Mosques is not merely a duty, it is a sacred privilege and an honor,” he said, adding the defense deal sends a message to the wider Muslim world that "unity is their shield and solidarity their strength."
"We appreciate the Saudi Arabian leadership for their trust and confidence in our valiant armed forces."
Under the pact, aggression against one country would be treated as an attack on both. The deal, sealed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to the Kingdom this month, is meant to enhance joint deterrence and deepen decades of military and security cooperation.
In his video message played at the event, PM Sharif congratulated the Saudi leadership and people on their National Day, praising the Kingdom's progress under the visionary leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Islamabad, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have special ties, which were growing under the current leadership of the two countries.
“I want to assure every Pakistani that Saudi Arabia will stand alongside Pakistan in all kinds of circumstances,” he said, reciting a verse of Pakistan’s national poet Allam Iqbal that calls for unity of Muslims for the protection of the Great Mosque of Makkah.
Speaking to Arab News at the event, PM's advisor on political affairs Rana Sanaullah said that Pakistan was celebrating the Saudi National Day as its own national day, given the defense agreement between the two countries.
“After the [defense] agreement between both the countries, any aggression against Saudi Arabia would be dealt with as aggression against Pakistan and if there is any aggression against Pakistan that will be construed as aggression against Saudi Arabia,” he said.
"Both countries are same and now the national day of Saudi Arabia is national day of Pakistan."
Shah Owais Noorani, a former special assistant to the prime minister, prayed for the continuity of the decades-old friendship between the two countries.
Famous Pakistani singer Shahzad Roy’s performance enthralled the audience at the event, while young artist brothers, Riyan Zar and Isaac Zar, played the Saudi national anthem on the occasion.
"It was an honor to be called by the ambassador to come and play (Saudi) national anthem," Riyan said, calling it a "very special day" for him and his brother.
Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Tahir Ashrafi said this year, the Saudi National Day was being celebrated across Pakistan.
"Saudi national day is our national day," he said. "Entire Pakistan is [celebrating it] like August 14 [Pakistan’s Independence Day]."
