Arshad Nadeem opts for training in South Africa

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the joint defence agreement signed by Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will strengthen security cooperation and contribute to peace and stability in the region. In a statement posted on his X account, Erdogan said he visited Makkah at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. During the visit, Erdogan said he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The three leaders subsequently signed a joint defence agreement, according to Erdogan. He said the agreement is based on the principle of collective defence and would further strengthen security and military cooperation among the three countries. Erdogan said the pact would also encourage joint projects in the defence industry and facilitate stronger cooperation in combating terrorism. The Turkish president said the agreement reaffirmed the right to self-defence recognised under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. He stressed that the agreement was not directed against any country. Instead, Erdogan said the pact remained open to brotherly countries that seek peace, prosperity and stability in the region. He added that Türkiye would continue to pursue its principled position of resolving conflicts and crises through dialogue and diplomacy. Erdogan also expressed hope that the visit to Makkah and the agreement reached by the three countries would bring peace, stability and prosperity to the wider region. The agreement marks a significant step in defence cooperation between Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and establishes a framework for closer coordination against shared security threats.

Taiwan has intensified its annual military exercises by rehearsing the wartime evacuation of President Lai Ching-te, testing how the government would continue operating if the island came under attack. During the overnight exercise, President Lai, wearing body armour and a helmet, was transported in an armoured personnel carrier to a secure command centre. Senior government officials also participated in the drill, which focused on maintaining leadership, coordinating emergency responses and ensuring the continuity of government during a national crisis. The evacuation formed part of Taiwan’s 10-day Han Kuang military exercises, the country’s largest annual defence drill. The exercises are designed to strengthen military readiness amid growing tensions with China, which claims Taiwan as its territory and has repeatedly vowed to bring the self-governed island under its control, by force if necessary. The wartime evacuation plan has its roots in the Cold War era and was created to protect Taiwan’s leadership in the event of an invasion. Taiwanese authorities have long expressed concern that China could attempt a “decapitation strike” targeting the president and other senior officials during a conflict. As part of this year’s drills, President Lai also observed coast guard vessels being equipped with missile launchers, highlighting efforts to improve Taiwan’s coastal defence capabilities. Military units have deployed advanced air defence systems and other equipment across key locations as they practise responding to realistic combat scenarios. The exercises also include training for counter-blockade operations, coastal defence, protection of strategic infrastructure and broader civilian support during wartime. Next week, authorities will test emergency communication systems by deliberately reducing mobile internet speeds to evaluate how people would communicate if networks became disrupted during a crisis. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s defence ministry reported continued Chinese military activity near the island, saying multiple Chinese aircraft and naval vessels were detected operating around Taiwan during the exercises. Beijing has not officially commented on the ongoing drills but continues to increase military pressure on the island while rejecting President Lai’s calls for dialogue.