Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement has brought Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan closer. The agreement, he said, has sent a message of unity and peace throughout the region. Shehbaz made the remarks while meeting Saudi Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad.
Key Highlights
- PM Shehbaz says Makkah agreement brought three countries “closer together”
- Meeting to strengthen Pakistan-Saudi agriculture, trade ties
- Pakistani agri experts’ delegation to visit Riyadh
- Bangladesh signals ‘positive’ consideration for joining pact if invited
- PM reiterates ties, focuses on economic ties
During the meeting, Shehbaz took the opportunity to reiterate what he termed the deep-rooted, fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. He sent his regards to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “Now as strategic partners, the two countries have to focus their energy on deepening economic and agricultural ties and transform their long-standing relationship into a stronger trade and investment partnership,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye had brought the three countries closer together and sent a message of peace and unity across the region.
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Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the constructive engagement between the two sides, especially on Pakistan’s agricultural exports to Saudi Arabia, the PMO said. Both sides discussed ways to improve agricultural productivity in Pakistan through better technology, research and development, and more efficient use of water resources.
The prime minister said a delegation of Pakistani agricultural experts will soon visit Riyadh to continue these talks to fully realize the potential of the partnership. The Saudi minister, for his part, thanked Shehbaz for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation and reiterated the kingdom’s determination to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in the agriculture, water and food security sectors.
The Deal That Led to the Meeting
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and PM Shehbaz Sharif signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement during a trilateral summit at the Al-Safa Palace on August 7. The pact states that an attack on any signatory country is an attack on all three. The pact echoes what the three countries have said is a joint commitment to bolster collective security and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Pakistan has said the pact is open to any regional country that is willing to abide by its fundamental values. This openness is already generating interest. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said Thursday that his country would have a positive outlook on joining the pact if invited by its founding members, suggesting the agreement’s reach could grow far beyond its original three signatories in the months ahead.
