Riyadh/Brussels, (Unib Rashid) — Saudi Arabia has urged Pakistan to halt and reassess major defence agreements worth approximately $5.5 billion with African partners, signaling a notable recalibration of Riyadh’s regional and security priorities.

According to diplomatic sources, Saudi authorities requested Islamabad to suspend a $1.5 billion weapons deal with Sudan and reconsider a separate $4 billion defence arrangement linked to forces in Libya. The move has introduced fresh uncertainty into Pakistan’s efforts to expand its defence exports and strategic footprint across Africa.

Pakistan has already paused the Sudan agreement after Saudi Arabia withdrew its financial backing, underscoring a shift in Gulf policy calculations. Initially, Riyadh had supported the deal as part of a broader effort to strengthen ties with Khartoum and counter competing regional influence, particularly from United Arab Emirates.

However, mounting pressure from Western allies, coupled with concerns over deeper involvement in African conflicts, appears to have prompted Saudi Arabia to reconsider its position. Analysts suggest the Kingdom is increasingly prioritizing internal security and regional stability, particularly amid heightened tensions involving Iran and strategic considerations linked to the United States.

The development carries broader implications for Pakistan’s defence diplomacy and export ambitions. Islamabad has been actively seeking to diversify its defence partnerships and tap into emerging markets in Africa, but evolving geopolitical alignments and shifting Gulf priorities may complicate these efforts.

Observers note that the situation reflects a wider trend of recalibrated alliances, where economic, political, and security interests are being reassessed in response to an increasingly volatile global landscape.