Foreign Office Briefing Highlights Makkah Agreement and Regional Peace

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts and regional developments during his weekly press briefing.

The spokesperson said the Makkah Summit held on August 7 was highly significant. He described the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as an important development in relations between the three brotherly countries.

He said the agreement is purely defensive in nature and reflects the three countries’ commitment to regional peace and stability. Pakistan played a key role in making the agreement successful, he added.

The spokesperson also said Pakistan and New Zealand held political consultations and trade-level discussions. The two countries also signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in the education sector.

On the Middle East situation, Andrabi said Pakistan was continuing sincere efforts to help resolve the conflict. He also expressed concern over the Houthi attack on a commercial vessel in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Pakistan condemned the attack and said risks to commercial shipping in the Red Sea had increased. The Foreign Office reiterated Pakistan’s support for freedom of navigation in international waters.

The spokesperson said Pakistan remained committed to the rights of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and continued efforts to promote peace despite various challenges.

He said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held telephone conversations with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Iran and Kuwait on the same day. Dar also spoke with Bahrain’s foreign minister on August 11, who congratulated him on the Makkah agreement.

On August 9, Dar also held discussions with the foreign ministers of Canada and Senegal.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan was following international standards on financial transparency. He added that Pakistan had successfully completed three reviews under its IMF programme.

According to the spokesperson, the IMF programme focuses on economic reforms and improving transparency in Pakistan.