DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Pakistan’s growing strategic role in the Muslim world under the Makkah Pact could create new opportunities for economic, technological and defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, speakers at a workshop organised by the Press Information Department (PID), Peshawar, said on Thursday.
The workshop was chaired by PID Deputy Director Romana Asad Khan, while senior journalist Amjad Aziz Malik delivered the keynote address. It was attended by local journalists, including Asif Wadood, Syed Qaiser Rizvi, Shahida Parveen, Imran Khan, Adnan Khan, Shaista and Mahwish.
Mr Malik said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s diplomatic engagement, the role of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s proactive foreign policy were contributing to Pakistan’s growing importance in the Muslim world.
He described the Makkah Pact on joint defence as an important development in Pakistan’s foreign and defence policy, saying it had the potential to provide a new strategic framework for the longstanding fraternal ties among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
“The agreement is not likely to remain limited to defence cooperation and could open new avenues for political, economic, technological and people-to-people cooperation,” he said.
Mr Malik said Pakistan’s geographical position, defence capabilities, diplomatic experience and longstanding relations with Muslim countries gave it the potential to play an effective role in the emerging strategic framework.
Participants said the signing of the agreement by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Makkah on Aug 7 marked an important development in Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Under the pact, the three countries have agreed to strengthen joint defence and collective security, with an armed attack against any one of them to be treated as an attack against all three. The speakers also highlighted the role of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, in advancing the framework. His participation in the Strategic Political and Defence Committee meeting held in Istanbul on Aug 31, they said, indicated Pakistan’s intention to translate the pact into practical defence and strategic cooperation.
Ms Romana Asad Khan said the establishment of the pact’s secretariat in Saudi Arabia, with Pakistan to provide the first secretary general for a three-year term, represented a significant diplomatic opportunity as well as a major responsibility for the country.
She said the arrangement reflected the importance attached to Pakistan in the emerging framework of defence and strategic cooperation.
She further said the economic and commercial opportunities arising from the pact should not be overlooked. Joint ventures in the defence sector, technology transfer, research and development and industrial cooperation could generate employment, attract investment and increase Pakistan’s export potential.
Saudi and Turkish investment in Pakistan’s energy, minerals, infrastructure, agriculture, information technology and industrial sectors could also contribute to economic growth, she said.
However, Ms Khan cautioned that translating these opportunities into tangible economic gains would require effective implementation of the agreement, policy continuity and conducive environment for domestic and foreign investment.
