ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said the defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye is not aimed at aggression against any country but at promoting peace, security and prosperity in the region.
Addressing a federal cabinet meeting, the prime minister said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had entered into a defence agreement last year, while Pakistan and Türkiye had maintained decades-long cooperation.
He described the trilateral defence agreement as a continuation of the existing cooperation among the three countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said protecting the Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah was an important responsibility for the people and armed forces of Pakistan.
He praised Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar for their efforts in advancing the agreement, saying the efforts to finalise the trilateral arrangement had ultimately succeeded.
PM Shehbaz also reiterated the government’s resolve to completely eliminate terrorism from the country.
He said operations against Fitna al-Khawarij were continuing around the clock and expressed confidence that a day would come when Pakistan would be completely free of terrorism.
Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to security forces and police personnel who were killed while fighting terrorism in Hangu, Swat and other parts of the country.
He specifically honoured the sacrifices of Major Hafiz Ehsan Elahi, Captain Hamza Akram and DSP Diyar Khan, along with other personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The prime minister said the sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism would not go in vain.
He noted that several police personnel were killed in Hangu, while security forces also made sacrifices in Swat during operations against militants.
Shehbaz Sharif said the security personnel, including Captain Hamza Akram and DSP Diyar Khan, had sacrificed their lives for the country and its people.
He reiterated that operations against Fitna al-Khawarij would continue and expressed hope that Pakistan would once again be free from terrorism and move forward on the path of peace, stability and development.
