Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Report: Pakistan Weighs Sending Up to 25,000 Troops to Saudi Arabia
A news report says Pakistan may send more soldiers to Saudi Arabia.
It says as many as 25,000 could be deployed, while more than 15,000 Pakistani troops are already there.
Pakistan may also provide equipment such as air defence systems, rockets and drones.
The reported plans come as Saudi Arabia faces rising tensions with Houthi rebels based in Yemen.
The report says a joint defence agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey is not yet active.
It says the agreement could be activated after an emergency meeting in Riyadh.
These details come from an unnamed security source cited by CNN-News18.
The report describes possible plans, not a confirmed deployment.
CNN-News18, citing an unnamed security source, reported that Pakistan could send up to 25,000 troops to Saudi Arabia.
The report says more than 15,000 Pakistani troops are already stationed in the kingdom.
Pakistan is reportedly preparing additional military support, including air defence systems, rockets and drones.
The reported preparations come amid rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen-based Houthi rebels.
The source said the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement has not been activated, and could be fully activated after an expected emergency council meeting in Riyadh.
- Who
- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and, according to the report, Turkey.
- What
- Pakistan is reportedly preparing possible troop and military-equipment support for Saudi Arabia, including a potential deployment of up to 25,000 troops.
- When
- The report says the deployment could occur amid current rising tensions; it gives no specific date.
- Where
- Saudi Arabia, with an emergency meeting expected in Riyadh.
- Why
- The reported preparations are in response to rising tensions and the perceived Houthi threat.
- Potential Pakistani deployment
- Up to 25,000 troops, according to an unnamed security source cited by CNN-News18.
- Troops already present
- More than 15,000 Pakistani troops are reportedly stationed in Saudi Arabia.
- Reported equipment
- Air defence systems, rockets and drones.
- Agreement status
- The report says the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement has not yet been activated.
- Possible next step
- An emergency meeting of the Strategic Political Defence Council is expected in Riyadh, after which the agreement could be fully activated, according to the source.
- Reported security context
- Rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen-based Houthi rebels.