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Pakistan Will Stand With Saudi Arabia ‘No Matter What’: Mosharraf Zaidi
Pakistan will stand by Saudi Arabia “before it is needed, no matter what”, says PM’s foreign media spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi amid Middle East tensions following US-Israel strikes on Iran. He also says Pakistan is engaging diplomatically to prevent further regional escalation.
ND
by News Desk
2026-03-11
Pakistan Will Stand With Saudi Arabia ‘No Matter What’: Mosharraf Zaidi

Pakistan will stand by Saudi Arabia “before it is needed, no matter what,” Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media Mosharraf Zaidi said on Wednesday, underscoring the depth of the strategic relationship between the two countries amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg TV, Zaidi was asked whether Pakistan would support Saudi Arabia militarily or otherwise following the regional conflict triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

“The question is not whether Pakistan might come to Saudi Arabia’s aid,” Zaidi said. “Both countries, even before the strategic mutual defence agreement, have operated on a principle of being there for the other before they need the other.”

“There is no question that we might; we will. No matter what, no matter when,” he added.

Diplomatic Efforts to Prevent Escalation

Zaidi stressed that Pakistan’s priority was preventing the conflict from escalating further and destabilising the region.

He pointed to recent diplomatic engagements, including the visit of Asim Munir, who also holds the role of Chief of Defence Forces, to Saudi Arabia. According to Zaidi, Pakistan remains in communication with both Saudi and Iranian leadership.

“Our prime minister and field marshal have a great relationship with US leadership,” he said, noting that several conversations had taken place in recent days.

Zaidi also praised Gulf states for resisting pressure to become directly involved in the conflict.

“There have been appeals from some voices in the US and elsewhere for Gulf countries to get actively involved, but they have resisted so far,” he said. “That is part of what Pakistan wants to see.”

Strategic Partnership With Saudi Arabia

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share a longstanding strategic partnership encompassing military cooperation, economic assistance and energy supplies.

Last year, Shehbaz Sharif and Mohammed bin Salman signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in Riyadh, under which any attack on either country would be considered an act of aggression against both.

Zaidi noted that Saudi Arabia has already supported Pakistan’s economic stability by ensuring reliable energy supplies, including crude oil and diesel.

“I think both countries are tied to each other, formally and informally,” he said.

Pakistan’s Role in Regional Diplomacy

The spokesperson said Pakistan has been actively engaging with all sides involved in the conflict. He confirmed that Ishaq Dar had held multiple conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in recent weeks.

“These conversations are part of why you have seen conciliatory efforts from Iran towards Gulf countries,” Zaidi said.

He emphasised that Pakistan prefers dialogue and de-escalation over confrontation.

“We don’t like our friends getting into quarrels with each other, and we certainly don’t like innocent people dying needlessly,” he said.

Zaidi also criticised the ongoing bombing campaign in Iran while saying attacks on Gulf states would further destabilise the region.

Fuel Situation in Pakistan

Addressing concerns about the global fuel crisis caused by the conflict, Zaidi said Pakistan’s fuel supply situation was currently “stable to good”.

He acknowledged that recent increases in petrol and diesel prices had hit consumers hard but explained that the government raised prices early to prepare for potential disruptions in global supply chains.

According to Zaidi, these decisions were aimed at ensuring that Pakistan avoids severe shortages even if global shipping routes face delays.

Alternative supply routes, he said, could take 18 to 20 days to reach Pakistan instead of the usual five to six days, creating logistical challenges that the government is attempting to mitigate.

Austerity Measures and Maritime Security

The spokesperson also highlighted several austerity measures introduced by the government to manage the crisis, including a four-day work week, work-from-home policies and reduced government vehicle usage.

“Every crisis is an opportunity for change,” he said.

When asked whether Pakistan might escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil corridor, Zaidi ruled out the possibility for now.

He clarified that Pakistan Navy is currently focused on securing Pakistan’s own maritime waters and providing escorts within national shipping lanes.

“The Strait of Hormuz is tricky, and we are nowhere near making any sort of support missions for such escorts at this time,” he said.

Zaidi added that any expansion of such operations would only occur through a multilateral arrangement and no such discussions were currently underway.
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Pakistan

SaudiArabia

MiddleEastCrisis

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