Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed an important security agreement on 17 September (Wednesday), under which the two countries said that the attack on each one would be considered an attack on both. This deal will strengthen Saudi’s security through Pakistan’s nuclear weapons options.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif signed the agreement in Riyadh, which further strengthens the defense relations of the two countries. The agreement includes things like mutual defense, nuclear security and financial assistance. Saudi also gave Pakistan a loan of $ 3 billion, which will support Pakistan’s economy.

This deal will strengthen the anti-Iran strategy

Experts say that this deal strengthens the anti-Iran strategy. Saudi described it as essential for regional peace, but it is also aimed at controlling the threat of Iran’s nuclear program and Huti rebels. The agreement came a week after the attack on Israeli’s Qatar, when Gulf countries felt less confident in American security. In such a situation, Saudi turned to Pakistan for not getting security guarantee from America. However, the question is also arising that if Iran-Saudi war happens, will Pakistan be involved in the war against Iran on behalf of Saudi.

Who is more powerful in Iran and Pakistan?

According to Global Firepower 2025 data, many interesting facts have emerged compared to military power between Iran and Pakistan. Pakistan’s population and active military forces are more than Iran. Pakistan has 654,000 active soldiers, 550,000 reserves and 500,000 paramilitary, while Iran has 610,000 active soldiers, 350,000 reserves and 220,000 paramilitary forces. However, Iran’s defense budget is around $ 15.45 billion, which is twice the $ 7.64 billion of Pakistan. Iran also has a lot of capacity of natural resources, oil and gas reserves.

Pakistan’s dominance is visible in terms of air and land power. Pakistan has about 1,399 aircraft and 2,627 tanks, while Iran has 551 aircraft and 1,713 tanks. Iran has more number of submarines in naval power (8 vs. 8 of Pakistan), while Pakistan has more total number of ships. This comparison shows that the balance of power between the two countries is quite important at the regional level and the strength and weaknesses of both have to be taken into account in any conflict.

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Pakistan defense budget: Amid tension with India, Pakistan on Tuesday (June 11) increased its defense budget by 20 percent and allocated 2550 billion Pakistani rupees (US $ 9 billion) for FY 2025-26. Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb presented a federal budget of 17,573 billion Pakistani rupees for FY 2025-26 in ‘National Assembly’ (Parliament). He also introduced the budget document as the Finance Bill in the National Assembly. In the budget speech, the minister said that the government has decided to “allocate 2,550 billion Pakistani rupees to protect the country.”

Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb did not give any further information about defense spending, as traditionally the defense budget is not discussed in Parliament. In the current financial year 2024-25, the government allocated Rs 2,122 billion for defense spending, which is 14.98 percent more than Rs 1,804 billion for the financial year 2023-24.

Referring to Pakistan-India struggle
Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb recently mentioned the Pakistan-India struggle, saying, “This budget is being presented in a historic time when the nation has shown unity and determination.” Tension between India and Pakistan increased after the terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam. On 7 May, India carried out accurate attacks on the terrorist structure in Pakistan and its occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor. 9 terrorist bases were targeted in this Hamal, in which more than 100 terrorists died. After this, Pakistan was quite shocked and started efforts to attack from across the border. In retaliation, India had completely destroyed many of their airbase while teaching Pakistan a lesson. India attacked the Bahramos missile and worsened the condition of the Pakistani Airforce. During this time India used a total of 19 Bahramos missiles.

Pakistan imf loan: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has imposed 11 new conditions on Pakistan to release the next installment of its relief program. Along with this, the IMF has warned Pakistan that stress with India may increase the risk for fiscal, external and improvement goals of the scheme. This information has been given in media reports on Sunday (May 18, 2025).

The new terms imposed on Pakistan include the approval of the Parliament for the new budget of Rs 17,600 billion, increase in loan payment overload on electricity bills and removing the ban on import of more than three years old. The ‘Express Tribune’ newspaper report said that the employee level report released by the IMF on Saturday (May 17, 2025) also states that increasing stress between India and Pakistan may increase the risk for fiscal, external and improvement goals of this program.

Pakistan will increase defense budget amid conflicts with India

The report further states that the tension between Pakistan and India has increased significantly in the last two weeks, but till now, the market response has been modest and the stock market has retained most of its recent benefits. The IMF report shown the defense budget of Rs 2,414 billion for the next financial year, which is Rs 252 billion or 12 percent more. Compared to the IMF estimate, the government has indicated allocating Rs 2,500 billion or 18 percent more for the defense sector after increasing conflict with India earlier this month.

50 conditions have been imposed on Pakistan so far

In response to the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April, India carried out attacks on terrorist bases under the ‘Operation Sindoor’ in Pakistan on the intervening night of May 6 and 7. After this, Pakistan also tried to attack the Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. On May 10, it was agreed to stop military action between the two countries. The report of the Express Tribune states that the IMF has now imposed 11 more conditions on Pakistan. In this way, 50 conditions have been imposed on Pakistan so far.

What conditions have been imposed

The new conditions include the approval of Parliament for the budget for the next financial year. The IMF report said that Pakistan’s total budget size is Rs 17,600 billion rupees. Of this, 1,0700 billion rupees will be for development works.

A new condition has also been imposed on the provinces. This will implement the four federal units through a comprehensive scheme, including the establishment of an operational platform for returns processing, taxpayer identity and registration, communication campaign and compliance improvement scheme. Under this condition, the deadline for the provinces is till June.

Another new condition is that the government will publish a plan to operate the work on the recommendations of assessment of improving IMF operations. Apart from this, another condition is that the government will designed and publish the strategy of the financial sector after 2027. The IMF has also imposed four new conditions for the energy sector.

Also read: Pakistan has worn the heels for the loan from IMF, 20 times more money than India’s account, not even returning