Pakistan and Saudi Arabia added a new dimension to their ties as they inked the "Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement", assuring each other of security shield in case of an aggression. The landmark deal has completely changed the mosaic of the Middle East, making Pakistan emerge as the security-provider in one of the most volatile regions of the world. In the realpolitik sphere, Islamabad has literally replaced Washington as oil-rich Arab states, especially Saudi Arabia, go on to bank on the Islamic Republic's military muscle to safeguard their sovereignty and territorial integrity. The timing and context of the defence deal, coming in the backdrop of the Israeli aggressions over Iran and Qatar, makes it altogether strategic, knitting the five other GCC members too, apart from Saudi Arabia,

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