RAWALPINDI : 27 August 2026 – Pakistan and Kuwait have signed the “Protocol Agreement-2026” to significantly enhance the existing military cooperation framework established under the “Defence Cooperation Agreement-2023.” The deal aims to boost operational coordination, enhance military readiness, and encourage the exchange of professional expertise between both nations’ armed forces.
The agreement was signed during a meeting between Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif and a high-level Kuwaiti delegation, led by Kuwaiti Defence Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Saleem Al-Sabah, accompanied by Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Khalid Darj Saad Al-Shriaan in Rawalpindi today.
Under the new agreement, the Armed Forces of Pakistan will extend assistance to the Armed Forces of Kuwait in diverse fields, including training, capacity building, border management and other mutually agreed areas of defence collaboration.
The agreement reflects the deep trust, mutual respect and shared strategic interests underpinning the longstanding defence relationship between the two brotherly countries.
Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen this partnership in support of mutual security and regional peace and stability.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest were also discussed, with a particular focus on bilateral defence relations, security cooperation and further strengthening defence ties between Pakistan and Kuwait.
Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Saleem Al-Sabah, Minister of Defence, accompanied by Lieutenant General Khalid Darj Saad Al-Shriaan, Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of Kuwait, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff & Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi.
The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, regional security and bilateral defence cooperation. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing institutional ties and expanding mutually beneficial defence collaboration between the two brotherly countries.
The Kuwaiti delegation appreciated the professionalism, operational excellence and valuable contributions of the Pakistan Armed Forces towards regional peace and stability.
The engagement reaffirmed the resolve of Pakistan and Kuwait to further consolidate their historic and brotherly relations into a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial defence partnership, contributing to regional security and stability.
2023 Foundation: The new protocol builds upon the initial Defence Cooperation Agreement originally signed on June 11, 2023
Kuwait and Pakistan signed Defence Cooperation Agreement between the two countries on 11 June 2023 in Kuwait Ministry of Defense. Ambassador Malik Muhammad Farooq signed the agreement on behalf of Pakistan, while Brigadier General Fawaz Khudair Muhammad Al-Harbi, the Joint Planning Director, Ministry of Defence signed from Kuwait side.
Representatives from the Kuwait Ministry of Defence and the visiting Pakistani military delegation led by Major General Waseem Iftikhar Cheema and Brigadier Muhammad Asim, Pakistan Defence Attache were present. The two sides appreciated the instrumental role of Brigadier Muhammad Asim, Defence Attache of Pakistan to Kuwait in finalization of the Agreement. Brigadier General Fahad Al-Otaibi from Ministry of Defence, Kuwait and senior officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kuwait also attended the signing ceremony.
Both the dignitaries welcomed the signing of the agreement and expressed the hope that the agreement will help expand the defence cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Farooq thanked the Kuwaiti authorities for the excellent arrangements for the visiting Pakistani delegation. Major General Waseem Iftikhar Cheema and Brigadier General Fawaz Khudair Muhammad Al-Harbi exhibited resolve to strengthen the bilateral cooperation through strong defence ties.
Ratification: Kuwait formally ratified the foundational 2023 pact via Decree No. 73 of 2026 before signing this latest operational protocol.
