Defence Pact: PM Shehbaz Briefs President Zardari on Pakistan-Saudi-Turkiye Agreement

President Zardari expressed his best wishes for the effective implementation of the agreement, particularly its objectives of strengthening defence cooperation, promoting regional peace and stability, and enhancing security among Muslim countries.

He also praised Prime Minister Shehbaz and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for their efforts to strengthen the longstanding relations among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye and develop them into a strategic partnership.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the joint defence agreement in Makkah on August 7. The pact seeks to strengthen collective deterrence and states that an armed attack against one signatory will be treated as an attack against all three countries.

The three countries will establish political and military mechanisms under the agreement, while also expanding cooperation in the defence industry. Pakistani officials have repeatedly described the pact as defensive and said it does not target any country.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said the agreement remains open to other countries in the region that are willing to uphold its fundamental principles. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has also said Turkiye expects Egypt to join the arrangement at a later stage, although Egypt has yet to comment on the proposal.

Kuwait, Bahrain and Somalia have welcomed the agreement, while Iran has responded positively to the broader idea of regional security mechanisms based on cooperation among neighbouring countries.

Counter-terrorism efforts discussed

The meeting also reviewed Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts. According to the Presidency, the participants appreciated the professional capabilities of the country’s security forces and law enforcement agencies in operations against groups referred to by the state as Fitna-al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij.

The participants reaffirmed their resolve to eliminate terrorism from Pakistan. The meeting also covered foreign affairs and internal security.

President Zardari called for effective measures to provide relief to the public amid the current regional situation. He stressed the need to maintain uninterrupted supplies of essential commodities and ensure their availability at reasonable prices.

He also expressed hope that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote regional and global peace would strengthen the country’s international standing and contribute positively to the national economy and people’s lives.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior and Narcotics Control Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan and Senator Sherry Rehman also attended the meeting.

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