By: Dr. Abdul Ghani
E.Mail: ghanillm@yahoo.com
Published By: ANI News Agency
For countless Pakistani families, the journey to Makkah and Madinah begins long before they board an aircraft. It begins with a prayer, with savings carefully set aside and with the hope that one day they will stand before the Holy Kaaba or enter the Prophet’s Mosque. These sacred places occupy a deeply personal space in Muslim hearts. Their safety matters to people whose languages, nationalities and circumstances may differ, but whose devotion brings them together.
This spiritual bond gives Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia a meaning that extends beyond ordinary diplomatic relations. It carries affection, responsibility and a sincere concern for the security of the Haramain Sharifain. Within that relationship, Pakistan Army’s professional service deserves recognition grounded in documented contributions and a clear understanding of its responsibilities.
Pakistan’s commitment has an established public foundation. On 10 April 2015, a joint sitting of Parliament adopted a resolution affirming support for Saudi Arabia if its territorial integrity or the Haramain Sharifain came under threat. The same resolution called for neutrality in the Yemen conflict and diplomatic efforts to end the crisis. Together, these provisions expressed a considered position: solidarity with Saudi Arabia and the holy sites, accompanied by a commitment to peace.
That balance remains important. Love for sacred places should inspire careful judgment. A policy intended to protect them must consider the safety of worshippers, residents and the wider region. Military preparedness gains its greatest value when it helps prevent violence and gives diplomacy room to succeed.
Pakistan Army’s contribution rests partly on a longstanding training relationship. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described decades of defence cooperation involving Pakistani trainers serving in Saudi Arabia and Saudi military personnel receiving training in Pakistan. Such exchanges provide a practical foundation for trust. They allow professional knowledge to pass between institutions and help personnel understand one another’s methods.
There is also specific evidence of joint preparation. In February 2022, the Saudi Press Agency reported the opening of the Al-Samsam 8 exercise between the Royal Saudi Land Forces and Pakistan Army. Radio Pakistan, citing ISPR, described training in combat patrols, cordon-and-search operations and dealing with improvised explosive devices. These activities demonstrate an established effort to strengthen cooperation through practice.
The significance of this work is easy to overlook. An instructor preparing a soldier to recognise danger may help prevent a future loss of life. An engineer keeping equipment operational may make an emergency response possible. A medical team practising evacuation procedures may improve a wounded person’s chance of survival. Professional readiness is built through these demanding, often unnoticed tasks.
Honouring that tradition requires more than admiration. It requires proper equipment, realistic training, reliable medical support and clear responsibilities. Those asked to undertake difficult duties deserve preparation equal to the demands placed upon them. The strongest expression of respect for soldiers is a serious commitment to their welfare and their ability to complete their missions safely.
Saudi Arabia’s authorities retain responsibility for the security and administration of the holy sites. Pakistan’s contribution should be understood as support through agreed defence cooperation. This distinction gives both countries their proper place: Saudi institutions carry their sovereign responsibilities, while Pakistani personnel contribute within the roles entrusted to them.
The practical requirements of such cooperation are substantial. Reliable communication, timely assessment of threats, transport, maintenance and emergency planning all matter. Different dangers require different capabilities. Protecting people effectively therefore calls for coordination among military services and relevant civilian authorities, with every institution understanding its role.
The regional framework also connects defence with restraint. In their joint statement of 31 August 2026, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye supported collective defence while reaffirming their commitment to de-escalation and peaceful solutions. The statement also identified defence-industry cooperation and joint technology development as areas for further work.
For Pakistan Army, the professional challenge is to help turn such commitments into dependable capabilities. Success should be judged through the protection provided, the quality of coordination and the ability to respond without creating avoidable danger. Public confidence grows when institutions communicate accurately and their achievements can withstand scrutiny.
The emotional purpose remains clear. A pilgrim should be able to pray without fear. An elderly visitor should reach the sacred places safely. Families should have confidence that those responsible for security are prepared, disciplined and mindful of human life. These are the human outcomes that give defence cooperation its deepest value.
Pakistan can take pride in its Army’s documented service, its enduring cooperation with Saudi Arabia and its capacity to contribute to a shared protective purpose. That pride becomes stronger when expressed through truth, responsibility and respect for all those who serve.
For the Pakistani heart, Makkah and Madinah will always inspire devotion. For those entrusted with military responsibility, that devotion must be accompanied by competence, patience and sound judgment. The finest tribute to the sacrifices of soldiers and their families is a peace in which their vigilance helps keep worshippers safe, sacred places secure and the region free from a wider war.
