Review counter-terrorism efforts and reiterate resolve to eliminate terrorism
\n Islamabad
\nPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday met President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr and briefed him on the historic defence agreement reached among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye in Makkah.
\nPakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye last week formalised their longstanding strategic relationship through the newly signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, a trilateral security framework described as a defensive arrangement aimed at strengthening collective deterrence, enhancing military cooperation and promoting regional stability.
\nA statement issued by the Presidency said President Zardari expressed his best wishes for the effective implementation of the trilateral agreement, particularly in promoting defence cooperation, regional peace and stability, and the security of the Muslim world.
\nHe appreciated the efforts of PM Shehbaz and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Gen Syed Asim Munir to transform the longstanding brotherly ties among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye into a stronger strategic partnership.
\nDuring the meeting, the premier also felicitated the president on the country\u2019s 80th Independence Day.
\nThe agreement, signed during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence, has prompted comparisons with military alliances such as Nato. According to security analysts, however, the pact is intended to formalise decades of existing strategic cooperation rather than create a new military bloc or offensive alliance.
\nTurkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wanted to see the alliance expand, with Egypt among potential candidates to join the pact.<\/p>\n
Meeting reviews counter-terrorism efforts
\nThe meeting also reviewed internal and external affairs, with the participants paying tribute to the professionalism of Pakistan\u2019s armed forces and law enforcement agencies in operations against terrorists of Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij.
\nThe participants reiterated their resolve to completely eliminate terrorism from the country. Fitna al-Hindustan is the term used by the state to refer to terrorists belonging to the proscribed BLA and other militant groups operating in Balochistan, while Fitna al-Khawarij refers to terrorists belonging to the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
\nIn the context of the prevailing regional situation, President Zardari stressed the need for effective measures to provide relief to people facing economic difficulties, ensure uninterrupted supplies of essential commodities and make them available at reasonable prices.
\nHe expressed the hope that Pakistan\u2019s diplomatic efforts to promote regional and global peace would further strengthen the country\u2019s standing internationally and have positive effects on the national economy and people\u2019s lives.
\nDeputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior and Narcotics Control Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan and Senator Sherry Rehman were also present during the meeting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Review counter-terrorism efforts and reiterate resolve to eliminate terrorism Islamabad Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday met President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr and briefed him on the historic defence agreement reached among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye in Makkah. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye last week formalised their longstanding strategic relationship through the newly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":561895,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-561884","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-top-news"],"yoast_head":"\n