Makkah Joint Defence Pact purely defensive, aims to ensure regional stability: DG ISPR

ISLAMABAD, Oct 9 (APP):Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said that Pakistan’s military presence in Saudi Arabia dates back several decades, stressing that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is not a newly formed alliance but the outcome of longstanding bilateral relations.

In an interview with US broadcaster CNN, the DG ISPR said Pakistani troops had been stationed in Saudi Arabia for decades, serving in various capacities and across multiple domains.

He clarified that the implementation of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and its potential outcomes would be purely defensive in nature.

Explaining the operational aspects of the agreement, he said decisions regarding the deployment of military units, their utilisation and the conduct of operations would be made by operational commanders.

Terming the agreement as a mechanism for strengthening collective defence and deterring potential threats before they escalate into conflict, the DG ISPR said that the region had faced emerging security challenges in recent years.

Under the agreement’s collective-defence principle, an attack on one partner would be considered an attack on all, serving as a deterrent against potential aggression.

He said the combined military and diplomatic capabilities of the participating countries would compel potential aggressors to think twice before pursuing hostile actions.

Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that the agreement was not intended to label any country as a friend or enemy, but rather to ensure regional security and defend Saudi Arabia against potential threats.

Commenting on efforts to end the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, the DG ISPR said Pakistan remained committed to achieving a peaceful resolution through negotiations and diplomacy.

He said Islamabad had previously facilitated dialogue, was continuing its efforts and would remain engaged in initiatives aimed at narrowing differences between the warring parties.

He said that Pakistan wanted to prevent the conflict from spreading further, warning that any wider escalation would undermine regional peace and stability.

The DG ISPR said Pakistan had played an important role in efforts to facilitate a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran while maintaining an honest and balanced approach towards all regional partners.

He said that Pakistan’s national interests were closely linked to regional peace and stability, and Islamabad had consistently conveyed to its partners that further escalation would benefit no one.

He reiterated that preventing the conflict from widening remained a priority for Pakistan as dialogue and diplomacy were the most effective means of resolving differences between the parties.