Defence Minister Kh Asif in Saudi Arabia to attend World Defence Show

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif arrived in Riyadh on Saturday night to attend the five-day Saudi Defence Show exhibition, where more than 700 exhibitors are expected to showcase their products, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) is organizing the event from February 8 to 12 in Riyadh, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The event brings together official delegations, government entities and leading international companies specializing in the defence and security sectors. 

GAMI Governor Ahmad Al-Ohali has said the event will feature a comprehensive programme, including live air and land demonstrations, static displays and newly developed zones, enhancing opportunities for partnership and integration between Saudi government entities and major national and global defence companies. 

“Defence Minister of Pakistan, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, has arrived in Riyadh on the official invitation of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to attend the World Defence Show,” the TV channel said.

Khawaja Asif was received by senior Saudi officials and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq, after arriving in Riyadh. 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have strengthened their economic and defence ties in recent years as regional tensions and militant violence escalate. 

The two nations signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement on Sept 17, 2025, pledging that aggression against one country would be treated as an attack on both, enhancing joint deterrence and formalizing decades of military and security cooperation.

The pact was signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh, where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 

A month later, the two countries complemented their defence pact with an economic cooperation framework to boost trade and investment ties. 

Pakistan regards Saudi Arabia as a critical ally, with the Kingdom hosting over 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates. This makes Saudi Arabia the largest source of remittances for cash-strapped Pakistan worldwide. 

Defence Minister of Pakistan, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, has arrived in Riyadh on the official invitation of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to attend the World Defence Show. Upon his arrival, he was warmly received by senior Saudi officials and Ambassador of Pakistan… pic.twitter.com/XgkHVcaJt7

— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) February 7, 2026

Reporter Ahmad Mansoor