Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye to hold first defence pact meeting in Istanbul on Monday

The first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee set up under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement will be held in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Monday with the participation of Pakistani political and military leaders, said the Foreign Office on Sunday.

“The first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee formed pursuant to the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement will be held in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Monday.

Pakistan is represented in this regard by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar; the Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif; and the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.”

The Turkish and Saudi ministers of foreign affairs and defense and chiefs of their respective general staff will also participate in the meeting, the Foreign Office statement added.

“Participation of Pakistan in this important meeting reflects Pakistan’s historical relations of brotherhood with Türkiye and Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s aspirations for enduring regional peace and stability,” the statement ended.

Previously, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement that Field Marshal Munir arrived in Turkey on an official visit.

Earlier, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Istanbul for the talks and other official engagements after visiting the UK.

As soon as he arrived in Turkiye, FM Dar was welcomed by the Deputy Chief of Staff for Administrative Affairs of Turkiye, Brig Gen Şenol Varol, along with Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye, Dr Yousuf Junaid and Turkish Foreign Ministry Ambassador Cihad Erginay among other Turkish dignitaries.

On arriving in Istanbul, FM Dar went to pay homage to the shrine of Hazrat Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari and offered his Fateha there.

He prayed for the security, peace and prosperity of Pakistan and its citizens, and made special prayers for the Unity of Muslim Ummah.

During his official visit to Turkiye, FM Dar will take part in the meeting on defence pact and will have other important meetings as well.

"Makkah Joint Defence Agreement" has been signed by PM Shehbaz Sharif, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Makkah Joint Defence Summit for Joint Defence that took place in Al Safa Palace in Makkah.