Pakistan’s recent conflict with Afghanistan along the Durand Line has not only exposed vulnerabilities on the ground but also ignited a political storm at home, especially over the so-called Pakistan-Saudi Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA), which many now claim was overstated or even non-existent in its practical scope.

In the wake of the Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes, which saw mounting casualties and heightened tensions across the disputed border, Saudi Arabia did not come to Pakistan’s aid—neither strategically nor diplomatically. Instead, Riyadh issued a generic appeal calling for “restraint and de-escalation" from both sides.

The tepid response has cast serious doubt over Pakistan’s previous assertions that its relationship with Saudi Arabia included a mutual defence pact aki

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