Pak-Saudi defense agreement not against any country: FO spokesperson

Islamabad: Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said that the leadership of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is determined to take the relations of the two countries to new heights, and the historic defense agreement between the two countries is not against any third country.

Addressing a weekly media briefing, the Foreign Office Spokesperson stated that at the invitation of the Saudi King, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Saudi Arabia on September 17, where he was warmly welcomed. Official-level talks were held between the two countries, which were also attended by delegations.

He added that the relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are a unique example of brotherhood and cooperation. The Pakistani people have special devotion to the land of the Two Holy Mosques. Defense cooperation has been the main pillar of Pakistan-Saudi relations since the 1960s. The leadership of both countries is determined to take the relations to new heights.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reviewed historical and strategic relations and discussed matters of mutual interest. The Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia signed the strategic defense agreement, Foreign Office spokesperson said.

Shafqat Ali Khan also stated that the agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reflects the need to increase defense cooperation between the two countries and ensure common security. According to the agreement, aggression against one country will be considered aggression against both countries.

He said that the strategic defense agreement formalizes a strong partnership spanning decades. This agreement is purely defensive in nature and is not against any third country. The agreement will play an important role in peace, security, and stability in the region.

The Foreign Office spokesperson continued to say: “An emergency Islamic summit was held in Doha, the capital of Qatar, in which more than 50 Islamic countries participated. The meeting discussed the Israeli aggression, which resulted in the martyrdom of innocent civilians”.

He said that a joint declaration was prepared and unanimously approved in the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Islamic countries, in which the Israeli attacks were declared illegal and unprovoked.

Shafqat Ali stated that the Pakistani Foreign Minister condemned the Israeli aggression in the meeting and appreciated Qatar's role in mediation. Pakistan also raised the issue in the Human Rights Council in Geneva and demanded an immediate discussion.

He said that the joint declaration demanded that Israel be held accountable for its violation of international law. The declaration condemned the atrocities committed against the Palestinian people and expressed solidarity.