Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on Sunday congratulated the nation on the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Trkiye ‘Makkah Joint Defence Agreement’, describing it as a historic development that would contribute to regional peace and stability and open new avenues of cooperation among Muslim countries.
Talking to PTV News here on Sunday, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal said the agreement assumed exceptional significance in the context of rapidly changing geopolitical dynamics and evolving security challenges in the region.
Ahsan Iqbal said the ‘Makkah Joint Defence Agreement’ reflected the leadership and vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (COAS and CDF), Syed Asim Munir. .
The Minister emphasized that the agreement was not directed against any country but aimed at strengthening collective security, promoting peace and stability, and enabling the three countries to respond effectively to emerging geopolitical challenges.
Ahsan Iqbal said the international and regional environment was undergoing rapid transformation, making mutual trust, cooperation and coordinated strategies among Muslim countries increasingly important.
He said Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Trkiye were three important Muslim countries with the potential to play a significant role in promoting peace, stability and development in the region.
The minister said the ‘Makkah Joint Defence Agreement’ should be viewed from a broader perspective as its significance would not remain confined to the defence sector. It could also create opportunities for enhanced political, economic, diplomatic and strategic cooperation among Muslim countries.
Planning Minister said Pakistan had consistently supported peace, dialogue and cooperation in the region and believed that sustainable peace could only be achieved through collective efforts.
According to him, greater regional peace and stability would create a conducive environment for trade, investment, connectivity and economic development, opening new avenues of prosperity for the people of the region.
Ahsan Iqbal said the strong and historic relations among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Trkiye were not only important for the three countries but also carried wider significance for the Muslim Ummah.
He expressed hope that the agreement would help open new avenues of cooperation with other Islamic countries and provide a stronger platform for pursuing shared interests.
The minister said the agreement conveyed a positive message of unity, solidarity and collective responsibility across the Muslim world.
He stressed the need for Muslim countries to further strengthen their bilateral and multilateral relations and work together on a common agenda of peace, stability, economic development and prosperity in the rapidly changing global order.
He said the agreement would further strengthen Pakistan’s strategic significance, defence cooperation and diplomatic role in the region, while providing greater opportunities to advance common objectives with friendly and brotherly countries.
He said peace and stability were essential foundations for sustainable economic growth and prosperity, adding that regional cooperation could help transform challenges into opportunities for development.
Meanwhile, other federal ministers and parliamentarians, while talking to PTV News, also described the ‘Makkah Joint Defence Agreement’ among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Trkiye as a landmark development for regional peace and stability and unity among Muslim countries.
They said the agreement would further strengthen mutual trust and cooperation among the three countries and help promote greater defence, economic and diplomatic engagement among Islamic nations.
They expressed confidence that the agreement would enhance Pakistan’s importance in the Muslim world and contribute to collective efforts aimed at ensuring peace, stability and prosperity across the region.
