Saudi Arabia Strategic Support: Clashes increased on Pakistan-Afghan border, 12 Pak soldiers died. Will Saudi Arabia provide active help? What is the real meaning of a deal like NATO? Read the strategic and diplomatic scenario.
Pakistan Afghanistan Border Conflict: The recent increasing clashes on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan have shaken the politics of the entire region. Attacks in Pakistan’s Kabul, Khost, Jalalabad and Paktika areas, and retaliatory attacks on border posts in Afghanistan, have made the situation tense. According to initial reports, at least 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed and many injured in these clashes. Besides, a tank of Pakistani Army was also captured by Afghanistan.
Will Saudi Arabia enter this conflict in favor of Pakistan?
The same doubt is being raised regarding the strategic defense agreement signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September 2025. Under this agreement, an attack on any country will be considered an attack on another. But will this really apply in war situations?
Can Saudi Arabia really go to war for Pakistan?
Pakistan’s security concerns are important for Saudi Arabia, but the Saudi strategy is not to engage in direct war. This is because Saudi is focused on economic development and regional stability.
1. Saudi priority: Vision 2030 and economic development
These days Saudi Arabia is focusing on its Vision 2030 project. This means increasing investment in sectors other than oil, tourism and attracting foreign investment. This economic goal could be affected by direct involvement in war.
2. Lessons learned from Yemen
Saudi Arabia previously conducted a lengthy and costly military intervention in Yemen, but the results were not satisfactory. This experience taught the leadership that the better strategy was to avoid direct military intervention.
3. Reducing tensions with Iran
Recently Saudi has tried to improve relations with Iran. The 2023 agreement brokered by China is proof of this. If Saudi gets involved in this new conflict, the delicate balance could be upset.
Is the defense agreement a guarantee like NATO?
According to Article 5 of NATO, if any member country is attacked, all countries are considered attacked. But this is not clear in the Saudi-Pakistan agreement. Most experts consider this a sign of political unity and strategic cooperation, and not a guarantee of entry into unconditional war. This means that if Saudi Arabia helps Pakistan, it will probably do so through limited military assistance, intelligence cooperation or economic incentives, and not in direct conflict.
How can Saudi Arabia help Pakistan?
- Diplomatic channels: Saudi can provide a platform for talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- Financial Aid: Considering the current economic instability of Pakistan, Saudi can provide investment or economic package.
- Military equipment and intelligence cooperation: If the situation worsens, limited military assistance and intelligence support is possible.
But this will not be a direct entry into war, rather it will be a medium level support to take Pakistan out of pressure and crisis.
What is the real reason for Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict?
This clash between Afghanistan and Pakistan mainly:
- border dispute
- Attacks related to Taliban and TTP
- Bilateral tension between the two countries
It happened because of this. At the moment it does not seem that Saudi or any other country will jump into this directly.
Will Pakistan get the support of Saudi?
The Saudi-Pak agreement is still in the litmus test phase. The possibility of Saudi entry into direct war is less. But help can come to Pakistan through limited economic, diplomatic and military assistance. Therefore, the real outcome of this conflict will be visible only when both sides adopt the path of establishing peace through dialogue or international pressure.