ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has termed the defence agreement signed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in Mecca as important for regional peace.
The Prime Minister said that the agreement is purely defensive in nature. Its purpose is not aggression against any country.
Addressing the federal cabinet meeting, he said that the main goal of the agreement is to promote peace, stability and development. According to him, cooperation between the three countries will strengthen the collective defence capability in the region.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed a joint defence agreement in Mecca on August 7. The agreement includes a clause that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all three.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the agreement.
Shehbaz Sharif said that this agreement is important not only for the three countries but also for the entire Muslim world. He also congratulated Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir on the completion of the agreement.
According to the Prime Minister, defence cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia already exists. The two countries also signed a strategic mutual defence agreement in September 2025. Pakistan and Turkey have also had defence ties for decades.
The Prime Minister said that the Pakistani army and nation have served together with Saudi forces in the defence of the holy sites of Mecca and Medina. According to him, the current agreement is a link to further systematise this cooperation.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also described the agreement as defensive in nature. He said that it is not against any specific country. According to him, the collective defence clause is consistent with the right to defence recognised in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has also described the agreement as an important strategic development. Some countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain and Somalia, have welcomed the agreement. Iran has also come out in support of a cooperative security system among regional countries.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also discussed the political situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the path of dialogue with the protesting groups should remain open.
Shahbaz Sharif made it clear that those who peacefully presented their demands should be given an opportunity to talk. However, lawlessness and unrest cannot be allowed.
The Prime Minister claimed that some elements deliberately worsened the situation in the recent tension in Kashmir. He also alleged that such elements were working on the instructions of the enemy.
He said that an all-party conference was also held in Muzaffarabad before the elections. According to him, it was advised to place the objections regarding the seats of the refugees before the new assembly.
Regarding the Azad Kashmir elections, the Prime Minister termed the victory of the PML-N as public trust. According to him, the PML-N is in a position to form the government after the results are out.
Shahbaz Sharif expressed hope that the new government under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif will work for the development and prosperity of Azad Kashmir.
In the federal cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister also spoke about the incidents of terrorism in the country. He paid tribute to the security personnel who were killed in recent attacks.
The Prime Minister referred to the August 2 Swat suicide attack. 17 people were killed in this incident. He also mentioned the martyrdom of DSP Diyar Khan in the attack on the Hangu police check post.
Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to Captain Hamza Akram and Major Hafiz Ehsan Elahi, who were martyred during operations in Hangu and North Waziristan.
The Prime Minister said that operations against terrorists are ongoing. According to him, the sacrifices of the security forces will not go in vain. He expressed hope that Pakistan will get rid of terrorism completely and move towards peace and development rapidly.
The cabinet meeting also condoled the death of PML-N Member of National Assembly Malik Muhammad Iqbal Chanar. The Prime Minister called him his long-time friend. Prayers were also offered in the meeting for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and the deceased member of the assembly.
