Islamabad: Pakistan while reiterating its resolve for the security and defence of Saudi Arabia has decided to move towards practical implementation of defence cooperation under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
The matter of terrorism from Afghan soil was raised in Moscow Format. The facts will not change due to non issuance of joint communiqu©.
This was said by Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan in weekly press briefing here Friday.
Prime Minister (PM) Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the repeated Houthi terrorist attacks against Saudi Arabia while Pakistan supports the right of defence of Saudi Arabia and people of Saudi Arabia.
On the other hand Pakistan presented its stance in clear terms on the matter of terrorism from Afghanistan in Moscow format meeting saying the facts in the region cannot be changed due to non issuance of joint communiqu© .
FO spokesperson Sajjad Haider said that PM Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the Houthi terrorist attacks against Saudi Arabia. Pakistan has earlier condemned Houthi attacks on Madina Munawara on September 02.
He said Pakistan stands with Saudi Arabia under Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
The meeting of strategic, defence and political committee of Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was held.
The emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee of the Makkah Alliance for Defence was held in Riyadh on 5 October.
The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, along with Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, attended the meeting.
The meeting brought together the respective Foreign Ministers, Defence Ministers, and Chiefs of General Staff of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Trkiye.
Discussions focused on recent regional developments and cooperation under the framework of the Makkah Agreement.
The Committee reviewed the security situation and threats facing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reaffirmed its commitment to collective defence, and strongly condemned attempts to target Makkah and Madinah, as well as attacks on cities, civilians, and economic infrastructure.
The Committee also decided to move towards the practical implementation of collective defence commitments and approved measures to enhance readiness, military integration, and the collective capacity of the three countries to confront threats.
In this context, the Parties reaffirmed that the security of each country is an integral part of the collective security of the three countries and reiterated their determination to defend their security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in accordance with the provisions of the Makkah Agreement.
Talking of Moscow Format meeting about Afghanistan FO spokesperson said Pakistan participated in the 8th Meeting of the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan, held on 5 October in Moscow.
SAPM/Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq and Pakistan's Ambassador to Kabul represented Pakistan at the consultations.
Pakistan presented its stance on terror acts from within Afghanistan . Terrorism related acts are being conducted from Afghanistan.
He said Taliban authorities refused to issue joint communiqu©. However the facts in the region cannot be changed due to non issuance of joint communiqu©.
Pakistan stance is this Afghan soil should not used for terrorism against Pakistan.
He said following the killing of two Pakistani civilians by the Indian Border Security Force in the Bedian Sector along the International Border on 2 October, the Indian Charg© d'Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 3 October, and a strong protest was lodged.
Pakistan categorically rejected the unprovoked and disproportionate use of lethal force against unarmed civilians and called upon India to conduct an immediate, transparent, and credible investigation, take appropriate legal and disciplinary action against those responsible, and share the findings with Pakistan.
India was also urged to respect international law, fundamental human rights, relevant bilateral arrangements, and established border procedures, exercise maximum restraint, and take effective measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.