Islamabad, August 14, 2026: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called on President Asif Ali Zardari and briefed him on the recently signed defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, with the two leaders also discussing regional security, counterterrorism and measures to provide relief to the people.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency, President Zardari expressed his best wishes for the effective implementation of the tripartite agreement, particularly in the areas of defence cooperation, regional peace and stability, and the promotion of security among Muslim countries.
The president also appreciated the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir to transform the longstanding fraternal ties between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye into a stronger strategic partnership.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed in Makkah on August 7 and provides for enhanced collective security and deterrence among the three countries. Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the signatories is to be treated as an attack against all three.
Türkiye’s Defence Ministry has said the pact would establish political and military mechanisms among the three countries and further strengthen cooperation in the defence industry.
Both Prime Minister Shehbaz and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar have described the agreement as defensive in nature. Dar has also said the pact remains open to other regional countries willing to uphold its fundamental principles.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said Türkiye expects Egypt to join the arrangement at a later stage, although Cairo has not publicly commented on the proposal.
Kuwait, Bahrain and Somalia are among the countries that have welcomed the agreement, while Iran has also responded positively, reiterating its preference for regional security mechanisms based on cooperation among countries of the region.
The meeting also reviewed Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism.
According to the Presidency, the professional capabilities of the security forces and law enforcement agencies in operations against what the government terms “Fitna-al-Hindustan” and “Fitna al-Khawarij” were appreciated.
The participants reiterated their resolve to eradicate terrorism from the country and discussed matters relating to foreign affairs and internal security.
The government uses the term “Fitna-al-Hindustan” for Balochistan-based militant groups while alleging Indian involvement in terrorism and destabilisation in Pakistan. “Fitna al-Khawarij” is the state’s designation for militants associated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
President Zardari also stressed the need for effective measures to provide relief to the people amid the prevailing regional situation.
He called for uninterrupted supplies of essential commodities and their availability at affordable prices, according to the Presidency.
The president expressed hope that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote regional and global peace would further strengthen the country’s international standing and that the resulting benefits would translate into positive economic outcomes and improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.
The meeting was attended by 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.
