Saudi envoy meets Asim Munir: new ambassador and CDF review Makkah defence pact

Saudi envoy meets Asim Munir: Saudi Arabia's newly appointed ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Rajeh Tami Albugamy, called on Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Monday, and both sides stressed stronger defence collaboration and strategic coordination, the military's media wing ISPR said. Geo News and Dawn carried the ISPR statement, and the state news agency APP published photographs of the call.

The meeting was among the most searched subjects in Pakistan on Google overnight.

What was said at GHQ

According to ISPR:

• The two discussed matters of mutual interest and regional security.
• Both expressed satisfaction with progress under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA) and stressed stronger defence cooperation and institutional links.
• Field Marshal Munir congratulated Dr Albugamy on his appointment and said he hoped his tenure would strengthen ties further.
• ISPR described the relationship as rooted in shared faith, mutual trust and strategic partnership.

What the Makkah defence pact is

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on 7 August 2026 at the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence. Under it, an armed attack on any one of the three is treated as an attack on all three, a mutual-defence commitment, Geo News noted.

The call came a day after ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry told Independent Arabia that the pact's collective deterrence could come into play if diplomacy failed and the regional crisis turned into open conflict. He called the alliance defensive and not aimed at any country, said Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and the protection of the two holy mosques were priorities for Pakistan, and urged regional states to settle their differences through dialogue.

Why it matters now

Saudi Arabia has faced repeated Houthi attacks on its energy sites, airports and military facilities this month. On Monday Riyadh postponed its flagship Future Investment Initiative conference to 2027, as we reported here, and Egypt's president has asked parliament to approve help for the kingdom. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has called the attacks "totally unacceptable".

For Pakistanis the stakes are personal as well as strategic, because Saudi Arabia is home to one of the largest Pakistani communities working abroad. Saudi riyal rates against the rupee are on our SAR to PKR page, and our currency converter works out what a transfer home is worth today.

Who is Rajeh Albugamy?

Dr Rajeh Tami Albugamy is Saudi Arabia's new ambassador in Islamabad. His call on the army chief came with the defence pact at the centre of the agenda.