Decision under trilateral defence pact with Riyadh and Ankara marks shift from 2015 parliamentary stance as Houthi attacks escalate.
Pakistan has agreed to rapidly deploy additional military forces to Saudi Arabia under a trilateral defence agreement, without holding a parliamentary vote, in a move that underscores the growing influence of the country’s military leadership over foreign policy.
The decision follows the first activation of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in August. An emergency meeting of the alliance’s Strategic Political and Defence Committee in Riyadh on 5 October led to an agreement to provide agreed military forces and capabilities for rapid deployment in the kingdom “in accordance with the national legislation of the parties.”
Pakistan Deploys Troops to Saudi Arabia Without Parliamentary Vote:
The development comes as Saudi Arabia faces intensifying attacks from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement. Pakistani military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that Pakistani forces are already present in the kingdom “in multiple capabilities and domains,” though he declined to provide numbers or operational details, citing confidentiality.
Pakistan’s information ministry stated that the alliance “has gone through all necessary government procedures” but did not specify whether the cabinet or parliament was consulted. Details of the deployment were described as “a matter of operational confidentiality.”
The absence of a parliamentary vote marks a clear departure from 2015, when Pakistan’s parliament unanimously resolved to stay neutral in the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen while pledging to defend Saudi territory and its holy sites if directly threatened. At that time, the government referred Saudi Arabia’s request for troops, aircraft and naval support to lawmakers for debate.
Analysts note that the latest decision reflects the strengthened position of Field Marshal Asim Munir, who was granted command of all three military services until 2030 through constitutional changes, along with lifetime rank and immunity from prosecution. Critics and observers say the arrangement further entrenches the military’s role in shaping foreign and security policy.
Pakistan-Saudi Troop Deployment Raises Oversight Questions:
Pakistan already maintains a significant presence in Saudi Arabia under earlier bilateral arrangements. Reports earlier this year indicated that approximately 8,000 Pakistani troops, a squadron of fighter jets and air defence systems had been deployed. The full scope of the new reinforcement and whether forces will engage in operations against the Houthis remains unclear.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government has highlighted close coordination with the military leadership. Supporters of the deployment frame it as a fulfilment of longstanding commitments to protect the holy sites of Mecca and Medina and uphold collective defence obligations.
The move comes amid heightened regional tensions and raises questions about the balance between civilian oversight and military decision-making in Pakistan’s foreign engagements. Officials have not disclosed the number of additional troops, their specific missions, command structures, costs or the expected duration of the deployment.