DPM and FM Ishaq Dar speaks during a NA session on October 3, 2025.
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday said Pakistan’s defence agreement with Saudi Arabia could grow into a broader military alliance resembling an “Eastern Nato” if more nations join.
Speaking during a National Assembly session, Dar termed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement — signed with Riyadh on September 17 — a landmark pact, adding that several Arab and Muslim countries had already expressed interest in signing similar arrangements with Islamabad.
“Our defence pact with Saudi Arabia is significant. More countries now want to sign a similar agreement with us,” he said. “This could expand to become a new Nato or Eastern Nato. By God’s Will, Pakistan will lead 57 Islamic nations.”
The agreement stipulates that any attack on either Pakistan or Saudi Arabia would be treated as an act of aggression against both nations. Referring to recent hostilities, Dar said that if India had launched strikes in May under the new pact, it would have been considered an attack on Saudi Arabia as well.
Read More: Seven India-backed terrorists killed in Sherani operation: ISPR
‘Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan Is Not Ours’
Dar also addressed the Gaza ceasefire proposal unveiled by US President Donald Trump, distancing Pakistan from the 20-point plan.
“The 20-point peace plan made public by President Trump is truly not ours and changes have been made to our draft,” he said, reiterating that Pakistan’s position differed from the US-led framework.
Trump’s proposal includes a ceasefire, hostage-prisoner swaps, phased Israeli withdrawal, Hamas disarmament and an internationally supervised transitional government.
Opposition lawmaker and PTI leader Asad Qaiser criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for prematurely endorsing the plan.
“Our prime minister accepted all conditions even before Trump’s points came out,” he alleged, demanding that the premier “apologise to the nation for committing injustice to the Palestinians”.
He added that any agreement that excludes Palestinians’ rights would be rejected and questioned why parliament had not been consulted before endorsing the proposal.
