Pakistan, Aug. 23 -- The signing of the Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye in Makkah on August 7 marks an important development in the rapidly changing strategic environment of the region. Its central principle is clear: an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be considered an attack against all three.

For Pakistan, the real question is not simply how much additional strategic weight this agreement gives the country. The more important question is: how can Pakistan convert this strategic dividend into economic opportunity, employment, investment, skills and a better quality of life for its people?

A strong defence posture is essential for national security. But national power ultimatel...