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Pakistan, Saudi Arabia ‘satisfied’ over progress under Makkah defence agreement

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia expressed satisfaction on Monday over progress under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and stressed the need to strengthen defence cooperation, institutional linkages and strategic coordination. The understanding was reached during a meeting between Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Rajeh Tami Albugamy at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The two sides discussed matters of mutual interest and regional security dynamics, with a focus on further strengthening defence collaboration between the two countries. Field Marshal Munir congratulated Dr Albugamy on his appointment as Saudi ambassador to Pakistan and expressed confidence that his tenure would contribute to further strengthening the longstanding fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia rooted in shared faith, mutual trust and strategic partnership. Read: PM vows unwavering support for KSA The ambassador arrived in Islamabad on September 26 and since then has conducted several meetings with the country’s top civilian and military leadership as Islamabad and Riyadh seek to deepen ties. On October 14, President Asif Ali Zardari received Dr Albugamy’s credentials at Aiwan-e-Sadr, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security and defence. The president also called for stronger economic ties, highlighted opportunities for greater cooperation and acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s financial assistance and support for oil supplies. Two days later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met the Saudi envoy and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment towards the kingdom’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity amid escalating Houthi attacks. During the meeting, PM Shehbaz described the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Joint Defence framework as significant milestones in bilateral relations. He also pledged to strengthen institutional mechanisms and expand cooperation across various sectors. On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also met Dr Albugamy. He also highlighted the countries’ longstanding fraternal ties and shared commitment to closer bilateral cooperation. Read more: President Zardari receives credentials of French, Saudi ambassadors-designate These diplomatic engagements follow the September 2025 Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which established a framework for joint defence, and the subsequent trilateral Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed on August 7 involving Türkiye. According to the Makkah agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three signatory states would be regarded as an attack against all three, establishing a framework for collective deterrence and expanded defence cooperation. The agreement has since been followed by efforts to translate its commitments into closer military coordination. In September, senior military commanders from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye met in Riyadh to review the regional security situation and discuss intelligence sharing, military coordination and the integration of defence capabilities.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/A2vcEbd
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