President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday lauded the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Defence Forces, for elevating the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye into a robust strategic alliance. The prime minister visited the president at Aiwan-e-Sadr and extended felicitations on the occasion of Independence Day.
During the meeting, PM Shehbaz Sharif updated the president on the landmark Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed on August 7 during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit. This pact stipulates that any armed attack against one of the three nations—Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, or Turkiye—will be considered an attack against all, reinforcing collective security.
President Zardari conveyed his best wishes for the successful implementation of this trilateral peace accord, emphasizing its importance in enhancing defence collaboration, fostering regional stability, and safeguarding the interests of the Muslim Ummah.
The discussion also highlighted the commendable professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies in their operations against terrorist groups such as Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij, addressing both internal and external security challenges. The leadership reaffirmed their commitment to completely eliminate terrorism from Pakistan.
Furthermore, the president stressed the urgency of adopting effective measures to alleviate the economic hardships faced by the population amid the current regional challenges. He underscored the need to ensure the steady availability of essential goods at affordable prices to support the public.
In a significant development, President Zardari expressed hope that Pakistan’s proactive diplomatic initiatives aimed at promoting peace regionally and globally would enhance the country’s international stature. He anticipated that these efforts would yield positive outcomes for the national economy and improve the quality of life for the citizens.
