Islamabad (The COW News Digital) Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has announced that an emergency meeting under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement will be held next week to review the latest security situation in Saudi Arabia and discuss developments in the region.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, Dar said the meeting would assess the current situation in Saudi Arabia following a series of attacks. He stressed that Pakistan remained committed to the security and defence of Saudi Arabia and said Islamabad would stand by the Kingdom under the framework of the defence agreement.
Dar said more than six countries had expressed interest in joining the Makkah defence pact. However, he indicated that the existing framework would first need to become fully operational before additional membership requests could be considered. The agreement brings Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye together under a mutual defence framework.
The foreign minister also referred to previous meetings held under the agreement. He said the three countries had been coordinating through political, diplomatic and military channels and that further consultations would focus on the evolving security situation in the region. The pact provides for collective support when one of its members comes under attack.
Discussing tensions involving Iran and the United States, Dar said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wanted the dispute to end, while negotiations remained focused on securing the interests of the parties involved.
On the Strait of Hormuz, Dar reiterated Pakistan’s position that commercial vessels should be able to pass through the strategic waterway without transit or service charges. Pakistan had previously stated its support for free movement through the strait during the ongoing diplomatic process.
Dar also spoke about a recent maritime rescue operation involving Somali pirates. He said Pakistani nationals were among those affected and confirmed that three Pakistanis had died during the incident. He added that efforts were underway to bring the bodies of the deceased back to Pakistan, while injured Pakistanis were expected to return to Karachi.
On Afghanistan, Dar said Pakistan wanted peaceful and stable relations with its neighbour but expected Afghan territory not to be used against Pakistan. He specifically called for action against militant groups that Islamabad considers a security threat.
The foreign minister also highlighted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to New York and his address to the United Nations General Assembly. Dar said the prime minister raised Pakistan’s positions on Palestine and Kashmir and held several meetings on regional and international issues.
The announcement comes as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye continue efforts to establish the institutional mechanisms of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and coordinate their response to the rapidly changing regional security environment.
