Saudi Arabia Declares National Day Holiday After Historic Defense Deal With Pakistan

Saudi Arabia has officially announced that Tuesday, 23 September 2025 will be a public holiday for its 95th National Day. This comes soon after it signed a landmark defense pact with Pakistan. The declared holiday applies to government, private, and non-profit institutions across the Kingdom.

Below is a quick reference table summarizing the key recent programs/events and dates related to this news.

Also Read: Saudi Loans Help Pakistan Economy Stay Afloat (September 2025)

Quick Information Table for Saudi Arabia Declares National Day Holiday After Historic Defense Deal With Pakistan

Program / Announcement	Start Date	End Date	Assistance / Benefit / What It Covers	Method of Application / How It Applies
Saudi 95th National Day Holiday	23 September 2025 (1st Rabi al-Thani 1447 AH)	Same day	Day off for employees in public, private, non-profit sectors; schools, banks, government offices closed; nationwide celebrations.	Automatically applied via government decree; no application needed.
“Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement” between Pakistan & Saudi Arabia	Signed 17 September 2025	Ongoing (no set end date)	If either country is attacked, the other treats it as attack on itself; stronger defense cooperation; may include military coordination, deterrence.	The pact is a treaty between the two governments, no public application process.

What Is Saudi National Day?

Meaning and History

Saudi National Day (Saudi Arabia National Day) is celebrated every year on September 23.
It commemorates the unification of the Kingdom: in 1932 King Abdulaziz ibn Saud issued a royal decree that renamed the regions of Nejd and Hejaz to “Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Though the unification was in 1932, the National Day was first officially observed by King Faisal in 1965. It became a public holiday permanently in 2005 by decree of King Abdullah.

2025 Theme & Celebrations

The theme for the 95th National Day (2025) is “Our Pride Lies in Our Nature” (in Arabic something like “ʿIzzna bi ṭabʿna”). This reflects Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage, natural environment, values like hospitality, courage, dignity, generosity.
Celebrations will include fireworks, air shows, drone displays, cultural performances, exhibitions, and patriotic displays across major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, Najran etc.
Land and naval displays will take place; landmarks lit up with national colours (green & white), public participation; people wear Saudi flags or colours.

Holiday Details

All government and private sector offices, schools, banks, nonprofit bodies will be closed on 23 September 2025.
The date in Hijri calendar is 1st Rabi al-Thani 1447 AH.

What Is the Strategic Defense Agreement Between Pakistan & Saudi Arabia?

What It Says

On 17 September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed what is being called a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA).
The core clause: any aggression against one country shall be treated as an aggression against both.
It intends to deepen military cooperation, strengthen deterrence, ensure closer coordination in defense matters.

What It Might Involve

Pakistan’s Defence Minister said that Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities could be made available to Saudi Arabia under this agreement, or at least that Saudi Arabia could be under Pakistan’s “nuclear umbrella.” However, official statements emphasize that nuclear weapons are not explicitly named in the pact.
Analysts view the pact mostly as defensive, not offensive; meant to deter aggression, not provoke. It is likened by Pakistan officials to arrangements like NATO’s Article 5 (where attack on one is attack on all) in principle.

Why It Happens Now

The geopolitical situation in the Middle East is tense: many Gulf states are concerned about security, including threats from regional conflicts, concerns over Israeli actions, instability in neighbouring countries. The pact is seen as part of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to ensure its security with reliable partners.
Pakistan, being a nuclear-armed Muslim country with longstanding ties to Saudi Arabia (religious, defense, financial), is a natural partner for such an agreement.

Implications of the Pact

For Pakistan

Boost in strategic importance: Pakistan strengthens its role in regional security.
Possible security assurances: Being part of a mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia gives Pakistan stronger diplomatic backup in international affairs.
Risks: Increased responsibility; possible strain in relations with other countries (e.g. India or the U.S.) who may view this as changing strategic balance.

For Saudi Arabia

Enhanced deterrence: Having Pakistan as an ally under mutual defense increases the cost for any country considering aggression.
Strategic reassurance: Reduces reliance on external powers; diversifies security arrangements.

For Region & Global Politics

The balance of power in the Middle East could shift: other countries will watch closely how this pact is implemented.
Concerns about nuclear proliferation or nuclear doctrines may increase: even though nuclear weapons are not explicitly shared in the agreement, statements about “nuclear umbrella” draw attention.
India, Iran, U.S., others will be monitoring how this pact affects alliances.

Possible Misunderstandings or Things Not Included

The agreement does not name any specific adversary. It does not state “this is against Country A or B.” It is more general: any aggression against one will be considered aggression against both.
It is not made clear publicly how, when, and with what force the agreement would be implemented in a real conflict (logistics, command, nuclear vs conventional).
There is no public application process: this is a government treaty, not something citizens need to apply for or participate in (beyond their country’s armed forces decisions).

Reactions from Pakistan & Saudi Officials

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif described the pact as a significant milestone, saying that the two “brotherly countries” will stand side by side in face of threat.
He added the pact is defensive in nature, not aggressive.
Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, and others, have publicly reinforced their commitment to this pact.

Why This Matters for Pakistanis

Diplomatic prestige: Being in a formal treaty of mutual defense with Saudi Arabia may raise Pakistan’s status in regional politics.
Potential support: Pakistan may receive more military cooperation, training, possibly even assistance in crisis.
Security concerns: Increased visibility could also expose Pakistan to diplomatic challenges should conflicts arise in the region.

FAQs-Saudi Arabia Declares National Day Holiday After Historic Defense Deal With Pakistan

Is Pakistan now legally bound to use nuclear weapons for Saudi Arabia?

No. The agreement doesn’t clearly state that Pakistan must employ nuclear weapons. While statements suggest that nuclear deterrence may be a part, the treaty itself is ambiguous. Pakistani officials stress it is a defensive pact.

Does this holiday in Saudi Arabia affect Pakistan directly?

Only symbolically. Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia will observe the holiday according to Saudi law. But in Pakistan, this holiday is not officially observed unless declared by Pakistani authorities.

When will events take place, and how long do celebrations last?

The main holiday is one day (September 23). But cultural events and festivities may span several days leading up to and around that date. Air shows, fireworks, concerts etc. will happen in the major cities in Saudi Arabia.

Conclusion

Saudi Arabia Declares National Day Holiday After Historic Defense Deal With Pakistan of a public holiday on 23 September 2025 for its 95th National Day underlines the cultural, historical, and national pride of the Kingdom. At the same time, the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement signed with Pakistan is a landmark in foreign policy and regional security: it formalises mutual support, signals strong ties, and has implications beyond bilateral relations. For Pakistanis, this is a moment of diplomatic significance.