Makkah Agreement to strengthen regional peace, collective security, Muslim unity: Ashrafi

ISLAMABAD, Sep 1 (APP): Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council and Prime Minister’s Coordinator on the National Paigham-e-Aman Committee, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, has welcomed the institutionalisation of the Makkah Agreement for Joint Defence, terming it a historic and positive development for regional peace, collective security and Muslim unity.

Ashrafi particularly appreciated the establishment of the Makkah Agreement Secretariat in Riyadh and the decision to appoint a Secretary General from Pakistan for an initial three-year term, saying it would provide a permanent mechanism for translating the shared commitment of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye into practical cooperation.

He said the historic initiative reflected the vision and leadership of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, with the continued support and cooperation of President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

“The Makkah Agreement is a message of strength for peace, not confrontation. Its institutionalisation will promote stability, restraint, collective security and the peaceful resolution of disputes,” Ashrafi said.

He said cooperation among the three countries in defence, technology, joint production, training and research would further strengthen their collective capabilities while creating wider opportunities for technological and economic cooperation.

Ashrafi stressed that the agreement carries a broader message for the Muslim world, demonstrating that collective strength, unity and institutional cooperation can be utilised for peace, stability and the protection of legitimate national interests.

He expressed confidence that the new mechanism would further strengthen the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia strategic partnership, deepen Pakistan-Turkiye relations and contribute to a just, inclusive and lasting peace in the region.