Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that the newly signed Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Turkiye Joint Defence Agreement is set to promote peace, development, and prosperity across the region.
According to Radio Pakistan, during a Federal Cabinet meeting in Islamabad, the Prime Minister highlighted that the agreement, signed in Makkah by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and himself, extends the longstanding defense cooperation among the three nations. Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the historical collaboration between Pakistan's armed forces and Saudi forces in safeguarding the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, indicating that the agreement is a continuation of these efforts, having been under discussion for several years before its finalization.
The Prime Minister lauded Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their relentless efforts in finalizing the agreement. He clarified that the agreement's objective is not to incite aggression against any nation but to foster peace, progress, and prosperity. Shehbaz Sharif also paid homage to security forces personnel who were martyred in recent terrorist incidents in various parts of the country, including Hangu and Swat, acknowledging the sacrifices of Major Hafiz Ehsan Elahi, Captain Hamza Akram, DSP Diyar Khan, and others who laid down their lives for Pakistan's defense.
He expressed his condolences to the families of the martyrs, prayed for them, and mourned the death of his political associate, Iqbal Channar of Bahawalpur. The Prime Minister declared that the Khawarij terrorists are being eradicated continuously and expressed confidence that the sacrifices made by security personnel would yield positive results. He assured that Pakistan would soon overcome terrorism and embark on a path of peace and development.
Discussing the elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Shehbaz Sharif noted that the PML-N has secured a majority in the elections held in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad, including seats reserved for Kashmiris settled in Pakistan. He thanked the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir for supporting the PML-N and expressed confidence in renewed development and prosperity in Azad Kashmir under Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's leadership.
Addressing recent unrest in Azad Kashmir, the Prime Minister stressed that lawlessness would not be tolerated and issues should be resolved through dialogue. He accused external elements of instigating disruptions and mentioned that an All Parties Conference in Muzaffarabad was convened to discuss reserved seats. The consensus was to let elections occur and allow the new assembly to address any changes within the constitutional framework.
Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the government's commitment to engaging in dialogue with those willing to resolve issues amicably but warned against allowing disorder. Regarding the upcoming Independence Day, he announced that preparations were underway to celebrate August 14 with enthusiasm, involving both federal and provincial governments in the festivities.