Pakistan's recent military deployment of fighter jets to Saudi Arabia marks a significant step under the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA), which was signed in 2025. This agreement obligates Pakistan to provide military support to Saudi Arabia upon request, potentially dragging Islamabad into the ongoing conflict with Iran. The SMDA was established amidst Pakistan's attempts to mediate peace talks between the United States and Iran, which recently collapsed. The pact's details have not been made public, raising concerns about its implications for Pakistan's foreign policy and military commitments. Historically, the defence partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia has evolved since the first agreement in 1982, with recent amendments solidifying military obligations. Critics within Pakistan fear that the agreement could lead to direct military engagement, especially considering the country's significant Shia population and its delicate diplomatic balance with Iran. The potential for backlash against any military alignment against Iran is a pressing concern for Islamabad, which has maintained cordial relations with both the U.S. and Iran.