Islamabad, August 10, 2026: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye was entirely defensive in nature and aimed at promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
Addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet, the prime minister recalled that he, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signed the agreement in Makkah on August 7.
He stressed that the accord was not intended to facilitate aggression against any country, but to strengthen collective deterrence and contribute to regional peace.
“Its purpose is definitely not that any aggression occurs. It is entirely for defensive purposes, for peace, tranquillity and progress in the region,” the prime minister said.
He described the agreement as a source of strength not only for Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye but for the wider Muslim world. He particularly congratulated Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their role in bringing the agreement to fruition.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said efforts to establish the trilateral defence arrangement had continued for many years. He noted that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had already concluded a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in September 2025, while Pakistan and Türkiye had maintained defence and security arrangements for decades.
Recalling Pakistan’s longstanding role in the security of Saudi Arabia, the prime minister said Pakistani personnel had for years contributed alongside Saudi forces to the defence of Makkah and Madina. He described the latest accord as a further extension of those longstanding arrangements.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had reiterated that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was defensive in nature and not directed against any country. He said its provision that an armed attack against one signatory would be regarded as an attack against all three was consistent with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
The agreement has received support from several countries and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which described it as an important strategic step. Kuwait, Bahrain and Somalia have also welcomed the accord, while Iran has expressed a broadly positive view, emphasising its preference for regional security mechanisms based on cooperation among neighbouring states.
PM backs dialogue to resolve AJK tensions
Speaking about the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the incoming AJK government would continue dialogue with protesters willing to resolve outstanding issues peacefully.
He said those seeking to create anarchy would not be allowed to undermine law and order, but those prepared to engage in peaceful dialogue would be given an opportunity to present their concerns.
“In any respected society, no permission can be given for lawlessness. If there is any demand or any matters, they should be resolved through talks at a table,” he said.
The prime minister was referring to tensions in AJK over demands concerning the 12 seats in the legislative assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-held Kashmir and other issues. He said the federal government had already facilitated a multi-party conference in Muzaffarabad before the elections to discuss the matter.
According to the prime minister, political parties and groups seeking changes to the reserved seats had been advised to allow the elections to proceed and raise their case before the newly elected assembly so the matter could be addressed according to the AJK Constitution.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also welcomed the PML-N’s performance in the ongoing AJK elections, saying the party had secured 24 seats in the first two phases and had almost established a majority in the 45-member assembly.
The third phase of the elections in Poonch Division began on Monday.
The prime minister said the election results represented a vote of confidence in PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and expressed hope that a new government under his party’s leadership would accelerate development and prosperity in AJK.
PM vows continued fight against terrorism
The prime minister also expressed concern over the recent escalation in terrorist attacks and paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.
He recalled the August 2 suicide bombing in Swat, which claimed 17 lives, as well as the killing of Deputy Superintendent of Police Diyar Khan in an attack on a police checkpost in Hangu.
He also paid tribute to Captain Hamza Akram and Major Hafiz Ihsan Elahi, who were martyred during counterterrorism operations in Hangu and North Waziristan, respectively.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said militants affiliated with Fitna Al Khawarij were being relentlessly targeted by security forces and vowed that the sacrifices of the country’s security personnel would not go in vain.
“These sacrifices will not go in vain and will bear fruition. One day will come when Pakistan will once again be free from terrorism and will move rapidly towards peace and progress,” he said.
The prime minister also expressed condolences over the death of PML-N MNA Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, whom he described as a longtime friend and supporter. The federal cabinet prayed for the elevated ranks of the martyrs and for the departed lawmaker.
