Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Türkiye Defense Pact Not Aimed at Aggression, Says PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the trilateral defense agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye is not intended for aggression against any country but aims to promote peace, development and prosperity in the region.

Chairing a meeting of the federal cabinet, the prime minister briefed the participants on the trilateral agreement and said the people and armed forces of Pakistan had always stood alongside their Saudi brethren in safeguarding the holy sites.

He said Pakistan had formally signed an agreement in this regard last year, while Türkiye was included in the arrangement through an expansion of the agreement on Friday.

Shehbaz Sharif stressed that the defense pact between the three countries was aimed at promoting peace, progress and prosperity in the region and had absolutely no aggressive intent.

He added that the agreement would strengthen not only the three participating countries but also the wider Muslim Ummah.

The prime minister congratulated Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal on the agreement, saying efforts had been underway for several years to finalize the arrangement and had finally reached completion on Friday.

Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives in recent terrorist attacks in different parts of the country.

He recalled the sacrifices of police personnel in Hangu and security forces in Swat, as well as Major Hafiz Ehsan Elahi and Captain Hamza Akram, who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

The prime minister also praised DSP Diyar Khan for sacrificing his life for the country, saying he had helped save thousands of Pakistani children from losing their lives and prevented many families from being devastated.

Shehbaz Sharif urged the nation to pray for all those who had sacrificed their lives for Pakistan.