Pakistan sends troops and jets to Saudi Arabia

Pakistan has sent troops and fighter jets to Saudi Arabia to boost security, the Gulf nation has said.

Pakistani military personnel and fighter jets arrived at King Abdulaziz Air Base on Saturday, the Saudi Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The deployment is aimed at boosting military coordination, improving operational readiness, and supporting security and stability on the regional and international levels, the ministry added.

The move comes as part of a defense cooperation agreement signed between the two nations last September.

As per the pact between the two nations, any attack on one country would be considered an attack on the other.

The aircraft were sent after Iranian strikes hit energy infrastructure and killed a Saudi national, according to a Reuters report.

Iran welcomed the defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan last year.

Pakistan condemned the Iranian missile and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia’s energy facilities last week and described the attacks as “a dangerous escalation” that undermines regional peace and stability.

Islamabad is expected to receive around $5 billion in financial aid from Riyadh and Doha ahead of major debt repayment commitments, according to reports.

Pakistan is preparing to clear a $3.5 billion repayment to the United Arab Emirates by April 23.

Islamabad has sought assistance from Riyadh, including expansion of existing cash deposits and an extension of an oil financing facility set to expire later this month, reports said.