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    PPP accuses PML-N of rigging Azad Kashmir election…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Pakistan Peoples Party has accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz of electoral irregularities during the Azad Kashmir elections. PPP leaders made the allegations during a press conference in Islamabad on Monday. PPP leader Sharmila Faruqui alleged that the PML-N was attempting to form a government in Azad Kashmir through rigging. She questioned claims that migrant seats had already been secured by the ruling party. Faruqui also criticised the Punjab government over its spending priorities. She questioned the concentration of development funds in Lahore and asked what had been done for other parts of the province. She said the PPP had avoided politicising incidents involving collapsed roofs in Punjab. However, she called for stronger measures to protect women and children. Faruqui also raised concerns about crime and law enforcement in Punjab. She referred to an alleged incident involving a girl with a mental disability in Lahore and criticised the police response. She further alleged that the Crime Control Department had carried out hundreds of encounters. According to her, the department had conducted around 670 encounters. Faruqui questioned whether the government was giving sufficient importance to courts and due process. She also claimed that a large majority of reported child abuse cases had occurred in Punjab. The PPP leader questioned the effectiveness of governance in cities where children and vulnerable citizens do not feel safe. Another PPP leader, Shahla Raza, also accused the PML-N of manipulating the Azad Kashmir election process. Raza claimed that the PML-N had entered the elections expecting to secure around 12 seats. She alleged that irregularities were reported in several constituencies because the party feared an outcome similar to the political situation in Gilgit-Baltistan. Raza said the alleged incidents demonstrated serious concerns about the credibility of the electoral process. She claimed that the Election Commission had received 26 complaints before 1pm on election day. She also alleged that election-related material was taken from police personnel and that gunfire occurred during the incidents. Raza further claimed that a PPP member of the National Assembly was shot. The PPP leaders called for greater transparency in the electoral process. They also urged authorities to investigate complaints submitted during polling. PPP leader Palwasha Khan said her party remains an ally of the PML-N at the federal level. However, she stressed that the PPP would not remain silent if it believed that the government was taking an incorrect step. Khan said the president has constitutional powers regarding official summaries and can act according to the law. She made it clear that the PPP considers itself a political partner rather than a subordinate of the PML-N. She warned that the government could face difficulties in achieving its political objectives if it ignored concerns raised by its allies. The allegations have added to political tensions surrounding the Azad Kashmir elections. The PPP and PML-N are coalition partners at the federal level. However, differences between the two parties have emerged over the election process and political developments in Azad Kashmir. The allegations made by PPP leaders have not, by themselves, established that electoral fraud occurred. The claims are expected to be examined by the relevant electoral and legal authorities.

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    PM Shehbaz says Pak-Saudi-Turkiye defence pact is …

    ByJustpaste.in

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the newly signed defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye is strictly defensive in nature. He said the pact is not intended to promote aggression or create tensions in the region. The prime minister made the remarks while addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet on Monday. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7 in Makkah. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation among the three countries in the field of defence and security. Under the pact, an attack against any one of the three signatories would be treated as an attack against all three. The arrangement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence and improve coordination among the countries. PM Shehbaz said the main objective of the agreement was to promote peace, stability, progress and prosperity across the region. He stressed that the agreement should not be viewed as a preparation for military aggression. The prime minister described the pact as a source of strength for Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. He also said its benefits could extend to the wider Muslim world. Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for their role in the agreement. He said discussions on stronger defence cooperation between the countries had continued for several years before the latest agreement was finalised. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had already signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in September 2025. The prime minister said Pakistan and Turkiye had also maintained defence and security arrangements for decades. Shehbaz highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia. He recalled that Pakistani personnel had served alongside Saudi forces in protecting the holy cities of Makkah and Madina. He said the latest trilateral agreement builds on those longstanding ties and provides a broader framework for cooperation. The agreement has also received attention across the Muslim world. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation described it as an important strategic development. Several countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain and Somalia, have welcomed the agreement. Iran has also responded in a relatively positive tone. Tehran reiterated its preference for regional security arrangements based on cooperation among countries in the region. The agreement comes amid growing security concerns across the Middle East and wider region. Its signatories have presented the pact as a mechanism for collective defence rather than an offensive alliance. The Pakistani government has maintained that the arrangement is aimed at strengthening regional stability and protecting the sovereignty and security of its members.

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    AJK polling enters third phase amid tight security

    ByJustpaste.in

    MUZAFFARABAD: Voting in the third phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir general elections began on Monday in four constituencies of Bagh and Haveli districts. Polling started at 8am and will continue until 5pm. Security has been tightened across the constituencies due to concerns over possible clashes and disturbances. Authorities have declared most of the 803 polling stations sensitive or highly sensitive. A large security contingent has been deployed to maintain law and order. Around 10,300 additional security personnel have been sent to Bagh and Haveli. Officials said the deployment was aimed at providing a safe environment for voters and election staff. The third phase was originally planned for all 11 constituencies of Poonch Division. However, voting was restricted to Bagh and Haveli after authorities reviewed the security situation. The remaining seven constituencies are expected to be polled later this month. Election officials have indicated that voting could take place on August 20 or 21, depending on the security situation. The current phase has attracted considerable political attention. Several prominent leaders are contesting the four seats. AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore is seeking to retain his constituency. Two former prime ministers, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas and Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, are also in the electoral race. A total of 460,371 voters are eligible to cast their ballots. They include 238,664 men and 221,707 women. The election is being held at 803 polling stations. These stations have 1,254 polling booths. As many as 82 candidates are competing in the four constituencies. LA-14 Dhirkot has the highest number of candidates. Thirty candidates are contesting the seat. LA-17 Haveli has nine candidates, the lowest number among the four constituencies. In LA-17 Haveli, Prime Minister Rathore is facing PML-N candidate Engineer Mohsin Aziz and independent contender Khawaja Tariq Saeed. Rathore and Saeed were previously political allies. They had reportedly agreed to contest the seat alternately. Their political relationship changed after Rathore became prime minister. Rathore sought Saeed’s withdrawal from the contest. Saeed refused to step aside. The two former allies are now competing against each other. Mohsin Aziz is also running an active campaign. His father, Chaudhry Mohammad Aziz, had won the constituency several times in the past. The PML-N candidate is expected to receive support from sections of the Gujjar community. Saeed is believed to have support among parts of the Kashmiri community and several smaller clans. Rathore has expressed confidence about retaining the seat. He has highlighted the performance of his government during his tenure. The constituency has also witnessed allegations of electoral irregularities. Claims circulated on social media about alleged manipulation by two presiding officers. Election officials rejected the allegations as presented on social media. However, they confirmed receiving complaints against the two officials. Both were subsequently removed from election duties. In LA-15 Wasti Bagh, former prime minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas is facing several strong contenders. The candidates include PML-N nominee and former minister Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas. PPP candidate and sitting minister Sardar Ziaul Qamar is also contesting. Jamaat-i-Islami candidate retired Brigadier Dr Mohammad Khan is another key contender. Ilyas had initially announced a boycott of the third phase. He later reversed the decision and returned to the election campaign. He has described the contest as important for his political future. He has also linked his campaign to the possibility of securing a senior constitutional position after the election. Ilyas and Ziaul Qamar belong to the same Madiyal tribe. Brigadier Khan belongs to the Narma clan. He is backed by several influential Jamaat-i-Islami figures and local supporters. Mushtaq Minhas is benefiting from the PML-N’s position as the leading party in the elections held so far. The party has secured the largest number of seats in the previous phases and is expected to play a major role in forming the next government. In LA-16 Sharqi Bagh, former ministers Sardar Mir Akbar and Sardar Qamar Zaman are among the main contenders. Mir Akbar is contesting on the PML-N ticket. Qamar is representing the PPP. The LA-14 Dhirkot contest has also emerged as one of the closely watched races. Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, head of the Muslim Conference, is seeking another victory from the constituency. He has represented the seat for several years and previously served as AJK prime minister. He is facing a strong challenge from Sajid Iqbal Abbasi of the Awam Dast-o-Bazu Party. Abbasi is a contractor and philanthropist. He has reportedly spent substantial personal resources on welfare and development projects in the constituency. His supporters believe his community work has helped him build a strong voter base. The contest has become more interesting because Attique and Abbasi belong to the same tribe. PML-N candidate Raja Faisal Azad and PPP nominee Raja Mubashar Ejaz are also contesting Dhirkot. However, the main competition is expected to remain between Attique and Abbasi. The results of the third phase could influence the political balance in AJK. The PML-N has already emerged as the strongest party in the earlier phases. The PPP and other political groups will now seek to strengthen their position in the remaining contests.

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    Iran issues stark warning to US over ground troops

    ByJustpaste.in

    TEHRAN: Iran has issued a stark warning to the United States, saying any American ground troops attempting to enter Iranian territory would face fierce resistance. The warning was delivered by Iranian Army Ground Forces Commander Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi, as tensions between Tehran and Washington remain high and the region continues to watch closely for signs of further military escalation. According to Iranian media reports, Jahanshahi said Iran’s armed forces were fully prepared to respond to any hostile action. He stressed that the country’s ground forces remained at a high state of readiness and were closely monitoring Iran’s borders. The Iranian commander made clear that Tehran would not take any threat to its territory lightly. Any attempt by an enemy to launch military action on Iranian soil, he said, would trigger an immediate and forceful response. The remarks underline Iran’s long-standing position that a direct ground intervention would represent a major escalation. Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that foreign troops entering the country would encounter strong resistance from the country’s armed forces. Jahanshahi also emphasized that Iran’s military units were prepared to respond to a range of potential scenarios. Security measures along the country’s borders, he said, remain active as authorities continue to assess possible threats. The latest warning comes against the backdrop of continued tensions between Iran and the United States, with military developments and diplomatic efforts both shaping the rapidly changing regional situation. For Tehran, the message appears aimed at drawing a clear red line around Iranian territory: while the country may face external pressure, any attempt to send foreign ground forces across its borders would be treated as a direct threat to national security. Analysts say such statements also reflect Iran’s effort to strengthen deterrence and signal military readiness at a time when uncertainty remains over the future course of US-Iran relations. With tensions already running high, any direct military confrontation could have consequences far beyond Iran and the United States, potentially triggering a wider regional crisis. For now, the sharp warning from Iran adds another layer of uncertainty to an already fragile security situation, while international attention remains focused on whether diplomacy can prevent another escalation.

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    Kuwait welcomes Pakistan-Saudi-Türkiye Makkah def…

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: Kuwait has congratulated Pakistan on the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, signalling growing regional interest in the new security arrangement. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received a telephone call from Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah late on Sunday, during which the two officials discussed the agreement as well as the wider regional situation. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the Kuwaiti foreign minister felicitated Dar on the agreement signed in Makkah on Friday. The two ministers also exchanged views on developments in the region, including the situation in occupied East Jerusalem. Their conversation also covered bilateral relations and ways to expand cooperation between Pakistan and Kuwait, particularly in investment and other key sectors. The officials also discussed follow-up to Sheikh Jarrah’s recent visit to Pakistan. “The two sides agreed to remain closely engaged,” the Foreign Office said. The development comes as Pakistan continues to explain the objectives and scope of the landmark defence pact, which brings Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye closer together on security matters. Dar has stressed that the agreement is defensive in nature and is not directed against any particular country. Under the pact, an armed attack against any one of the three signatories would be treated as an attack against all three. The foreign minister said the arrangement was designed to strengthen collective deterrence while supporting regional peace, stability and security. He also maintained that the agreement was consistent with the right of individual and collective self-defence recognised under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. Importantly, Dar clarified that the Makkah agreement does not replace or cancel existing bilateral or multilateral defence arrangements involving the three countries. The pact could also have a broader regional dimension. Dar said the agreement remains open to other countries in the region that are willing to respect its principles and resolve differences through dialogue, cooperation and peaceful means. His comments came amid reports that Egypt could potentially join the arrangement. Earlier, Dar also spoke with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, with the two officials discussing regional developments and the newly signed agreement. Pakistan has presented the Makkah accord as part of its broader foreign-policy objective of promoting regional stability and peaceful conflict resolution. With Kuwait now extending its congratulations, attention is increasingly turning to how the new defence framework could influence cooperation and security across the wider region.

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    5 terrorists killed in Panjgur operation

    ByJustpaste.in

    Security forces have killed five suspected terrorists, including a key commander of Fitna al-Hindustan, during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Panjgur district, according to security sources. The operation took place in the Sarkini and Chhedgi areas of Panjgur under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3. Security forces conducted the raid after receiving intelligence about the presence of armed militants in the area. According to the sources, the operation resulted in the death of Fitna al-Hindustan commander Wazir, son of Jamal, along with four other militants. The security forces also recovered four motorcycles, machine guns, other heavy weapons and a large quantity of ammunition from the militants’ possession. Security sources said the militants had allegedly been involved in a range of criminal and terrorist activities, including extortion, kidnapping, robbery and attacks against traders and local residents. Their activities had created fear and insecurity among people in the area. Following the successful operation, security forces have launched a clearance operation in the surrounding areas to locate and eliminate other members of the militant network. Officials said the security operation would continue until the area was fully cleared of remaining threats. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for their successful intelligence-based operation in Panjgur and commended their professional capabilities. Naqvi said the country’s security personnel remained a source of pride for the nation and were working to eliminate terrorism from Balochistan. He said the entire nation stood united against terrorism and supported the security forces in their efforts to restore peace and stability. The latest operation comes as security forces continue intelligence-led actions against militant groups across Balochistan as part of broader counterterrorism efforts.

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    Iran says Pakistan-Turkey-Saudi pact not aimed at Tehran

    ByJustpaste.in

    Iran has said it has no reason to believe that the new security agreement between Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia is aimed against Tehran. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the agreement should not be viewed as a direct threat to Iran. He said the new regional security arrangement reflects a broader change in how countries in the Middle East are approaching their security needs. Baghaei said regional states are increasingly recognising that the United States cannot guarantee long-term security in the region. He also accused Washington of contributing to instability in the Middle East. He said regional security arrangements could help strengthen stability if they take into account the political and historical realities of the region. He also called for such arrangements to be broad and inclusive. Baghaei said Iran would not resume direct negotiations with the United States while Washington continues to violate an interim agreement between the two sides. Iran has also linked the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to several demands from Washington. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran and Oman were close to finalising an agreement on new shipping routes through the strategic waterway. He said the agreement was in its final stages. However, Araghchi stressed that an agreement with Oman would not automatically lead to the reopening of the strait. He said the United States would first need to meet several conditions set by Tehran. Iran is demanding compensation for damage caused by US attacks. It is also calling for an end to US military threats and sanctions against Iran. Iran has further demanded an end to attacks against its regional allies. Other demands include the removal of restrictions on Iranian shipping and the release of frozen Iranian assets. The Strait of Hormuz is a major international route for oil and gas shipments. Its prolonged closure has raised concerns over global energy supplies and shipping. Iran and the United States are currently not holding direct talks. Tehran says it will not enter direct negotiations while Washington continues to breach the interim agreement reached earlier this year. Messages between the two countries are being exchanged through intermediaries. Iran has also made a major change in its national security leadership. Former Revolutionary Guards commander Mohsen Rezaei has been appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. Rezaei replaces Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, who had been appointed to the position in March. No official reason was given for the change. The move, however, comes at a sensitive time for Iran as tensions with the United States and Israel remain high. Rezaei, 71, is a senior figure in Iran’s political and security establishment. He led the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from 1981 to 1997. He served during much of the Iran-Iraq war. He later spent more than two decades as secretary of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council. Rezaei also served as vice president for economic affairs from 2021 to 2023 under former President Ebrahim Raisi. Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has also appointed Rezaei as his representative on the Supreme National Security Council. Zolghadr has been appointed as Khamenei’s political adviser. The Supreme National Security Council coordinates Iran’s security and foreign policy. It includes senior military, intelligence and government officials. Meanwhile, differences between the United States and Israel are reportedly growing over military operations across the region. Israeli broadcaster Channel 13 reported that Washington is pushing Israel to move toward ending fighting on three fronts. These include Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper reportedly conveyed the message during a visit to Israel. Washington wants progress toward reducing military operations and closing the three active fronts. Israeli officials, however, have indicated that they want to maintain freedom to act against Iran. Israeli military officials reportedly told their US counterparts that Israel intends to retain the ability to strike Iran if Tehran continues developing its nuclear programme or rebuilding its ballistic missile capabilities. Washington is also pushing for further Israeli withdrawals from positions in southern Lebanon. In Gaza, the United States is seeking progress toward a broader settlement. It is also supporting the deployment of a multinational force in the territory. Israeli security officials have reportedly objected to some US demands. These include reducing military operations and targeted killings in Gaza. The developments point to growing differences between Washington and Tel Aviv over how to manage conflicts involving Iran, Lebanon and Gaza. At the same time, the United States appears to be adopting a more cautious approach toward Iran. Tehran, however, continues to link the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to major concessions from Washington.

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    PM Shehbaz takes tough steps to drive growth: mini…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken difficult decisions to put Pakistan on the path of development. In a statement, Malik said the government had focused on practical politics and decisions aimed at strengthening the country. He said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz believes in practical political work. He also praised former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for making Pakistan a nuclear power. According to Malik, Pakistan’s nuclear capability has strengthened its position and security in the region. The minister also welcomed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. He said the agreement was a source of pride for the nation. Malik said Pakistan’s next major target should be economic progress. He stressed the need to achieve stronger results in the economic sector. The petroleum minister also indicated that there could be positive news regarding petroleum product prices. He said a reduction in prices could provide relief to consumers. Malik further said Pakistan had emerged as an important country for regional peace and security. He praised the capabilities and professionalism of the country’s armed forces. He said the world had witnessed the skills and operational capabilities of Pakistan’s military. He added that these capabilities had strengthened Pakistan’s role in promoting regional stability. The minister also acknowledged the economic difficulties faced by Pakistan during the Iran-US conflict. He said the situation created challenges for the country at the economic level. Malik maintained that Pakistan must now focus on economic achievements. He said stronger economic performance would be an important step towards securing long-term national progress.

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    Iran rules out US talks until demands are met

    ByJustpaste.in

    Iran has ruled out direct negotiations with the United States for now, saying Washington must first comply with the terms of an interim agreement reached in June. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Tehran and Washington were not holding direct talks. He said messages were still being exchanged through intermediaries. Araghchi also reiterated Iran’s position on the Strait of Hormuz. He said the strategic waterway would not reopen simply because Iran and Oman reached an agreement on shipping arrangements. According to Iranian reports, Tehran and Muscat are close to finalising an understanding on a temporary shipping route. However, Iran says the route can only be used after other conditions are met. The Strait of Hormuz has remained at the centre of the wider conflict. Iran has repeatedly linked its reopening to demands directed at Washington. Iranian officials have called for an end to US threats and military action. They have also demanded the lifting of sanctions and blockades and the release of Iranian assets. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has separately warned that the strait will remain closed until Tehran’s conditions are accepted. The force accused its opponents of shifting their focus toward reopening the vital waterway. The strait is one of the world’s most important energy routes. A significant share of global oil and gas shipments normally passes through it. Oman, meanwhile, said discussions with Iran over arrangements for shipping through the waterway had been positive and constructive. Muscat also urged all sides to avoid actions that could undermine the negotiations. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has suggested that the current situation could provide an opportunity for an agreement. He said Iran remained united and strong despite the ongoing conflict. The diplomatic uncertainty comes as tensions continue to affect commercial shipping in the region. The United Arab Emirates said Iran had attacked a vessel linked to its state-owned oil company while it was travelling through the Strait of Hormuz. No injuries were reported. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency also reported that a vessel caught fire after being struck by an unidentified projectile. The fire was later brought under control, with no environmental damage reported. Iranian authorities have not immediately commented on the individual incident. Saudi Arabia reports fires at energy facilities Tensions have also spread across the Gulf. Saudi Arabia said firefighters had extinguished a blaze at an Aramco facility in Jizan. The Saudi Energy Ministry said there were no fatalities. Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for an attack on the site, saying it had used a drone in response to alleged Saudi strikes in Yemen. A separate explosion was also reported in the industrial area of Jubail. Regional sources said gas facilities were targeted and that a fire broke out. The exact cause remained unclear. It was not immediately established whether the incidents in Jizan and Jubail were connected. US defence industry ordered to increase weapons production Meanwhile, the United States has asked its defence industry to accelerate weapons production amid shortages linked to the war with Iran. US Deputy Defence Secretary Steve Feinberg reportedly instructed defence companies to submit plans aimed at speeding up deliveries and increasing production of critical military equipment. The demand comes amid reports of pressure on US ammunition supplies, including stocks of Patriot missile interceptors. The Trump administration has maintained that the United States has substantial weapons reserves and that additional supplies are being manufactured and delivered. The conflict has also triggered threats from armed groups in the region. The leader of Iraq’s Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, Akram al-Kaabi, has threatened retaliation for US-Saudi strikes on sites belonging to Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces. The group has warned that further military action could lead to a response. Iranian military officials, meanwhile, have claimed that the United States and Israel failed to achieve their objectives against Iran. They have praised the country’s military preparedness and vowed to continue resisting pressure. With the Strait of Hormuz still closed and negotiations remaining indirect, the prospect of restoring normal shipping remains uncertain. Iran insists that reopening the waterway depends on Washington accepting its conditions. The United States, meanwhile, has linked the lifting of its blockade to Iran fulfilling commitments under any future agreement.

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    Pakistani leaders praise Makkah Agreement as histo…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Federal ministers, ministers of state, cabinet members and parliamentarians have welcomed the Makkah Agreement between Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. They described the agreement as a major step towards peace, security and stability in the region. The leaders said the agreement reflects a shared vision among the three countries. They said it could strengthen cooperation and improve regional security. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan had achieved a historic diplomatic success. He said the defence agreement could help open a new chapter of peace and stability in the region. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also welcomed the agreement. He described it as a milestone for peace and security. He said the people had welcomed the development. Federal Minister Owais Leghari said the defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye was a positive development. He said it would help strengthen the security of the three countries and contribute to peace in the region. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the agreement reflected the vision of the leadership of the three countries. He said it would further strengthen bilateral and trilateral relations. He added that the agreement could also promote unity among Muslim countries. He described it as a new source of hope for the Muslim world. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the agreement was an important step towards greater unity among Muslim countries. Amir Muqam said Pakistan was achieving significant diplomatic successes under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Abdul Aleem Khan said the agreement would promote brotherhood and cooperation among Islamic countries. He congratulated the nation and the Muslim Ummah on the development. Minister of State Shaza Fatima said Pakistan was increasingly being recognised as a country committed to peace. She said the historic agreement would help strengthen Pakistan’s position internationally. Rana Sanaullah said signing the agreement in the holy city of Makkah was a matter of honour for Pakistan. He said the agreement between the brotherly countries could create new opportunities for peace and cooperation. He also praised the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir in making the agreement possible. Sanaullah said stronger cooperation among Muslim countries could contribute to their development and prosperity. Daniyal Chaudhry described the Makkah joint defence agreement as a major diplomatic and security milestone for Pakistan. He said the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir had played an important role in achieving the historic agreement.