Overview

• Pakistan celebrated Saudi Arabia’s National Day on Sept. 23 with elevated visibility in Islamabad following what officials described as a recently signed Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement.
• President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sent congratulatory messages to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
• Sharif reaffirmed a commitment to deepen ties and thanked Saudi Arabia for support during May tensions with India as well as for economic assistance.
• For the first time, the main ceremony was set for Islamabad’s Convention Center with senior Pakistani officials and Saudi embassy representatives expected to attend.
• Ministers Musadik Malik and Mohsin Naqvi said the defense accord has energized public sentiment and broadened cooperation across defense, economic and cultural spheres.