Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khwaja Asif has said that there was no point in talking to a third party for a mutual defense deal with Saudi. He has given this answer to the question in which he was asked whether America was taken into confidence in this matter. He said that he feels that there is no role or justification for a third party.

Khwaja Asif said, “This agreement will not be a part of any dominating system, but a defensive system… We have no plans to occupy or attack someone’s land, but we cannot be denied our fundamental rights and we used it.”

Khwaja Asif also said that protecting holy Islamic sites in Saudi Arabia is an ultimate duty of Pakistan. On the question of terrorist attacks on security forces, Khwaja Asif reiterated Pakistan’s claim that Afghan land is being used to spread terrorism in the country.

He said, ‘We remained entangled in two wars with Afghanistan. On both occasions, America left the region and we are still suffering its consequences, whether it is Taliban, TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan), BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army) or someone else.

Describing Afghanistan as an enemy country, Khwaja Asif said, ‘I am completely clear that the Kabul government is not innocent in it. Through these people, they are blackmailing us. When he was asked whether the Arab countries would respond to the aggression of Afghanistan, Khwaja Asif said that he would not have any objection to it.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Pact on 17 September, according to which if any country is attacked, it will be considered an attack on both countries. According to a joint statement, the agreement was signed by Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia.

The agreement has been reached a few days after the Israeli attack on Hamas leadership in Qatar, which is a major ally of America in the Gulf region.

On the mutual defense deal with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan Defense Minister Khwaja Asif says that more Arab countries can also be included in this deal. He said that if Arab countries think so, then doors are open to them.

According to the IANS report, Khwaja Asif and in response to a question on the possibility of Arab countries joining this agreement, said, “I cannot answer it right now but I would definitely say that the doors are not closed.” In an interview to Geo News on Tuesday, he said that he has always been advocating an agreement like NATO, because there has been more danger situation for Pakistan.

Khwaja Asif said that there is no section in this agreement that prevents any other nation from joining or prevent Pakistan from making a similar compromise with someone else. He said, ‘I believe that the countries and people here, especially the Muslim population, have a fundamental right to protect their territories and countries together.’

Khwaja Asif was asked whether Pakistan’s nuclear property would also be available under this agreement? To this, he said, “The abilities we have will definitely be available under this agreement.” He said that Pakistan has always provided its nuclear facilities for inspection and never violated.

Khwaja Asif was asked whether the other country would be involved in his defense when he is attacked by one country, so there is no doubt that yes will happen. Khwaja Asif said that this is not an aggressive agreement but a defensive system like NATO. He said that Pakistan has been training Saudi force for a long time and recent developments are only a formal expansion. The Pak Defense Minister said that Pakistan’s large military and air force contingent have been present in Saudi Arabia for decades.