DLP Report
\nPESHAWAR
\nPakistan\u2019s 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 T\u00fcrkiye, speakers at a workshop organised by the Press Information Department (PID), Peshawar, said on Thursday.
\nThe 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.
\nMr Malik said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif\u2019s diplomatic engagement, the role of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar\u2019s proactive foreign policy were contributing to Pakistan\u2019s growing importance in the Muslim world.
\nHe described the Makkah Pact on joint defence as an important development in Pakistan\u2019s 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 T\u00fcrkiye.
\n\u201cThe agreement is not likely to remain limited to defence cooperation and could open new avenues for political, economic, technological and people-to-people cooperation,\u201d he said.
\nMr Malik said Pakistan\u2019s 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.
\nParticipants 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\u2019s foreign policy.
\nUnder 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\u2019s intention to translate the pact into practical defence and strategic cooperation.
\nMs Romana Asad Khan said the establishment of the pact\u2019s 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.
\nShe said the arrangement reflected the importance attached to Pakistan in the emerging framework of defence and strategic cooperation.
\nShe 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\u2019s export potential.
\nSaudi and Turkish investment in Pakistan\u2019s energy, minerals, infrastructure, agriculture, information technology and industrial sectors could also contribute to economic growth, she said.
\nHowever, 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DLP Report PESHAWAR Pakistan\u2019s 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 T\u00fcrkiye, 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-566580","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-top-news"],"yoast_head":"\n