Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that the recent Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan had brought the three countries “closer together” and sent a message of “unity and peace throughout the region”.

​​​​​​​The three countries signed the joint defence agreement at a trilateral summit in Makkah on August 7, pledging to strengthen collective security, deepen defence cooperation and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Shehbaz made the remarks during a meeting with Saudi Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad.

In a statement, the PMO said the premier reaffirmed the “deep-rooted, fraternal ties” between the two countries and conveyed his regards for King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

He underscored that as strategic partners, both Pakistan and the kingdom must now focus their energies towards “deepening economic and agriculture ties to translate their longstanding relationship into a stronger, mutually beneficial trade and investment partnership”.

PM Shehbaz also expressed satisfaction at the “constructive engagement” between the two sides, particularly with regard to the export of agricultural products by Pakistan to the kingdom, the statement said.

“Both sides also exchanged views on enhancing agricultural productivity in Pakistan, through the use of technology, research and development and more efficient use of water resources,” the statement added.

The premier also announced that a delegation of agricultural experts from Pakistan would soon visit Riyadh to carry forward these discussions “with a view to realise the full potential of this partnership”.

Meanwhile, the Saudi minister thanked PM Shehbaz for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation and reaffirmed the kingdom’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Pakistan across the agriculture, water and food security sectors, the statement concluded.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a summit at Al-Safa Palace.

The tripartite pact empowers member states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them, and reflects their “shared commitment to further strengthening their collective security and to promoting peace, security, and stability in the region and beyond, in pursuit of a secure and prosperous future”.

Pakistan has said that the pact is “open to any country in the region” willing to uphold its fundamental principles.

On Thursday, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said the country would consider joining the pact “positively” if invited by the founding members.

CDF Munir meets Saudi minister in Rawalpindi

Separately, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Saudi Arabia, in a meeting with Al-Fadley at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

The military’s media wing said that the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, while the CDF highlighted the brotherly relations between the two countries.

He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to further strengthening the longstanding strategic partnership.

The Saudi minister in turn appreciated Pakistan’s positive role in promoting regional peace and stability, and expressed a desire to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, “particularly in the areas of agriculture and environmental sustainability”.