Islamabad: Pakistani troops have been present in Saudi Arabia for several decades, confirmed the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, during an interview with CNN.

According to Radio Pakistan, Chaudhry emphasized that Pakistani military personnel are already operating in Saudi Arabia, bringing various capabilities and expertise. He noted that this presence is part of a larger framework, which he referred to as the Makkah Alliance, indicating a sustained diplomatic, political, and military relationship involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye.

Chaudhry further elaborated on the historical ties between the countries, highlighting the enduring people-to-people connections that complement the official diplomatic and security collaborations. The specifics of the military presence, such as the number of troops and their specific roles, were not disclosed during the interview.