Pakistan Suspends $1.5 Billion Sudan Arms Deal

Pakistan has suspended a $1.5 billion agreement to supply weapons and fighter jets to Sudan's armed forces following a request from Saudi Arabia to cancel the deal and its decision to withhold financing, according to two Pakistani security sources and a diplomatic source.

The development, reported on April 20 from Islamabad, comes amid Sudan's ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has raged for nearly three years and created the world's most severe humanitarian crisis. The conflict has displaced millions, exacerbated food insecurity, and drawn in rival foreign powers, raising fears of the country's fragmentation as a key Red Sea nation and gold producer.

The arms deal had reached advanced stages by January, with Saudi Arabia acting as a broker, though Riyadh's potential role in funding was not publicly disclosed at the time. It formed part of broader defense export negotiations by Pakistan's military, which saw increased interest in its aircraft and weaponry after border clashes with India in May of the previous year. Pakistan's air force and military had not officially confirmed the arrangement prior to these reports.