Security sources have dismissed as “baseless and misleading” a report by Reuters claiming that Pakistan has paused a $1.5 billion weapons deal with Sudan under pressure from Saudi Arabia.
Responding to the report, security sources familiar with the matter said the story published by Reuters is fabricated and does not state the facts on the ground.
Security sources further revealed that the reported exclusive story is factually incorrect and the details shared are mere claims which have no connection with the ongoing agreements Pakistan have with other countries.
The Reuters report had alleged that Islamabad put on hold a major arms package, including jets and weapons systems, after Saudi Arabia declined to finance the deal and urged Pakistan to terminate it. However, officials here maintain that no such development has taken place and termed the report fake.
Sources further said that Pakistan’s defence cooperation with friendly countries is conducted through established institutional mechanisms and is not subject to unverified external narratives. They also stated that ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia remain strong, with both countries maintaining close coordination across multiple sectors, including defence and security.
The report had also linked the alleged deal to the ongoing conflict in Sudan between the national army and paramilitary forces, a crisis that has drawn international concern. However, sources said that Islamabad supports peaceful resolution of conflicts and adheres to international norms in its defence relations.
Diplomatic observers noted that misinformation around sensitive defence matters can create unnecessary confusion and urged reliance on official statements rather than unnamed sources.
