kuwait welcomes pakistansauditrkiye
| | |

Kuwait welcomes Pakistan-Saudi-Türkiye Makkah def…

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.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Ferry fire off Lombok leaves one dead, 172 rescued

    JAKARTA: Indonesian rescue teams have evacuated 172 people after a passenger ferry travelling from Bali to Lombok caught fire in the Lombok Strait early Wednesday. Officials said one Indonesian passenger was confirmed dead as rescue crews continued searching the surrounding waters for anyone who may still be missing. The KM Putri Yasmin was sailing from Padangbai port in Bali towards Lembar port in West Nusa Tenggara when the incident occurred. Local rescue authorities said the ferry caught fire at around 4:39am local time. Muhammad Hariyadi, head of the local rescue agency, said emergency teams immediately launched an evacuation operation after receiving information about the incident. Several rescue boats were sent to the area to assist passengers and coordinate with other vessels operating near the ferry. More than 200 personnel were reportedly involved in the rescue effort. Most of those rescued were Indonesian nationals, while one Australian citizen was also among the survivors. The evacuees were transported to ports in Bali and Lombok for further assistance. Authorities have not yet determined what caused the fire. Officials were also investigating whether the ferry may have been carrying more people than officially registered. An official at Padangbai port, Heri Wiyanto, said the vessel’s manifest listed 114 passengers and 17 crew members. The discrepancy between the registered figures and the number of people rescued has raised questions about passenger safety and possible overcrowding. The incident comes less than a month after another ferry accident in Indonesian waters. The KM Mutiara Sentosa 2 caught fire off Madura island, killing five people. That vessel was also reportedly carrying more passengers than listed on its official manifest. Indonesia depends heavily on ferries because its thousands of islands are separated by extensive stretches of sea. Ferry services are widely used by residents and tourists because they are generally more accessible and affordable than air travel. However, a series of maritime accidents has repeatedly raised concerns about safety enforcement, passenger capacity and emergency preparedness in the country’s ferry industry. Rescue officials said the search operation would continue as authorities work to establish the full number of people who were aboard the vessel and determine how the fire began.

  • | |

    KP orders blacklist of corrupt, underperforming of…

    PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has directed all provincial departments to prepare verified lists of corrupt, disreputable, underperforming and suspicious officers by August 7 as part of a major governance reform aimed at improving transparency, accountability and public service delivery. According to official directives, officers included on the verified negative lists will not be posted to sensitive positions or offices involving direct interaction with the public. The government has also instructed departments to ensure that all appointments and transfers are made strictly on the basis of merit, performance and suitability. The directives further emphasize transparency in public procurement and financial management, the establishment of an effective public grievance redressal system, the digitization of government services and ensuring that officers deliver timely and efficient services to citizens. Sources said the instructions were issued following a high-level meeting chaired by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah. The meeting was attended by administrative secretaries, director generals and heads of various government departments. According to the sources, if the decisions are fully implemented, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could become the first province in Pakistan to officially maintain a verified negative list of government officers with poor performance records, corruption allegations or damaged reputations. An official document quoted the chief secretary as saying that providing quality public services and ensuring the welfare of citizens should remain the top priority of every government department

  • | | |

    Fake Iranian statements allegedly used to push nuc…

    TEL AVIV: An Israeli journalist has alleged that a fabricated statement attributed to an Iranian official was circulated as part of an effort to portray Tehran as actively seeking to develop nuclear weapons. According to Israeli journalist Ronen Bergman, a false statement was allegedly created and attributed to Ahmad Vahidi, a senior commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The fabricated remarks purportedly claimed that Iran was developing nuclear weapons. Bergman said the alleged fake statement was initially circulated through the social media account of a Hindu extremist in India before being amplified by a number of prominent Israeli and US-linked accounts and figures. He alleged that the material was subsequently shared by accounts associated with Israel’s Mossad, an Israeli television channel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the US ambassador to the United Nations. The claims have raised questions about the role of disinformation in the highly sensitive debate surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, particularly amid continuing tensions between Tehran and Israel. The allegation is significant because claims about Iran’s nuclear ambitions have repeatedly featured in political and security debates in the region. Any fabricated statement presented as an authentic admission could potentially influence public opinion and international perceptions. However, the reported allegations concern the authenticity and circulation of the statement rather than independently establishing the broader question of Iran’s nuclear intentions. The development highlights how rapidly unverified material can spread across social media and be amplified by influential accounts, especially during periods of heightened geopolitical tension. The claims attributed to Bergman are likely to fuel further debate over information warfare, source verification and the use of alleged intelligence-related material in the ongoing Iran-Israel confrontation.

  • | |

    Victory Monument unveiled in Islamabad

    ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated a 220-foot-high Victory Monument in Islamabad, commemorating what officials described as Pakistan’s historic victory in the Battle of Haq. The inauguration ceremony brought together the country’s civil and military leadership, including Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Senate chairman, National Assembly speaker, federal ministers, service chiefs and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Senior diplomats and representatives of the armed forces, civil armed forces and police from all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan also attended. The ceremony opened with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a presentation highlighting the construction and significance of the monument. President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif subsequently unveiled the monument. Addressing the gathering, President Zardari praised Pakistan’s armed forces for their role in the country’s military success and described the victory as a lasting symbol of the sacrifices made by martyrs and armed forces personnel. He said Pakistan remained committed to peace and that the international community recognized its contribution to regional stability. The president stressed that Pakistan did not seek confrontation and referred to his family’s historical connection with the Kashmir cause. He also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in promoting peace, including its role in facilitating the Iran-US ceasefire. Speaking about Gaza, he condemned the ongoing bloodshed and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian people. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his address, said Pakistan desired peace rather than conflict but warned that its peaceful approach should never be interpreted as weakness. He said Pakistan had emerged as an important force for stability in the region and would continue working to prevent further conflicts. The premier also spoke about the Mecca Defence Agreement and Turkey’s participation in the arrangement, describing it as an important development for peace and security in the Middle East. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for Palestinian rights and said the country’s position on Kashmir remained firm. Shehbaz Sharif urged the Afghan authorities to prevent terrorist elements from using Afghan territory against Pakistan. He also expressed appreciation for US President Donald Trump’s role in helping secure a ceasefire between Pakistan and India, saying the development had helped save millions of lives and expressing hope for stronger Pakistan-US relations. The prime minister called for national unity, saying differences should not turn into hostility and warning that no hostile force should underestimate Pakistan’s resolve. As part of the Independence Day celebrations, the national flag was hoisted at the monument shortly after midnight on August 14. The 220-foot flag was raised in the presence of senior civilian and military leaders, adding a symbolic dimension to the ceremony. At the conclusion of the event, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir presented President Zardari with a commemorative model of the Victory Monument. The monument is expected to serve as a prominent national symbol, reflecting Pakistan’s military history, the sacrifices of its armed forces and the country’s stated commitment to national unity, sovereignty and peace.

  • Thailand Clarifies Gulf Restrictions, Targeting Only Thai Vessels to Disrupt Cambodian Supplies

    BANGKOK – Thai military officials have clarified that newly announced maritime restrictions in the Gulf of Thailand are not a blockade of the sea, but a targeted measure applying solely to Thai-flagged vessels. The move is aimed at preventing the flow of fuel and military supplies into Cambodia amid ongoing border hostilities. The clarification from […]

  • |

    Rubina Ashraf urges greater awareness of postpartum depression

    Rubina Ashraf, one of Pakistan’s most respected television veterans, recently spoke about the importance of recognizing postpartum depression and supporting women through pregnancy and motherhood. Appearing on a morning television show, the actress shared her thoughts on the emotional and psychological challenges many women experience before and after childbirth, emphasizing that these struggles deserve greater awareness and compassion. Having spent decades in the entertainment industry as an actress, director, and producer, Rubina has earned widespread recognition for her memorable performances in dramas such as Pas-e-Aaina, Tapish, Kasak, Do Bol, Khuda Aur Muhabbat 3, and Iqtidar. She also received praise for directing the acclaimed drama serial Ruswai. Beyond her successful career, Rubina is a devoted mother of two, and her daughter, Nawal Tariq, has also established herself as an actress in Pakistan’s television industry. During the conversation, Rubina highlighted how discussions around postpartum depression were almost nonexistent in previous generations. She explained that society traditionally viewed childbirth as a routine responsibility for women, often overlooking the immense physical and emotional changes they experienced. According to Rubina, people now need to understand that pregnancy is far more than a physical process. She said that a woman undergoes significant transformations in her body, skin, hormones, and emotions, making the journey both physically demanding and mentally exhausting. While pregnancy is often associated with happiness and excitement, it can also bring anxiety, stress, and emotional vulnerability. She stressed that pregnancy-related anxiety and postpartum depression are genuine medical and psychological conditions rather than signs of weakness. Rubina noted that many women silently struggle because their emotional health is ignored or misunderstood. Without proper care and emotional support, these feelings can develop into severe depression, affecting both the mother and her family. The actress urged families to become more aware of these challenges and encouraged them to provide women with understanding instead of judgment. She explained that a pregnant woman should not be expected to manage every household responsibility while dealing with the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy. Instead, she needs kindness, patience, and reassurance from those around her. Rubina particularly emphasized the crucial role of husbands during this period. She said that a husband’s support should begin during pregnancy and continue after childbirth, as these months can be among the most difficult in a woman’s life. Emotional encouragement, practical help, and compassion can make a significant difference in a mother’s mental well-being and recovery. She added that expecting mothers often feel overwhelmed because they are trying to balance multiple responsibilities while their bodies and emotions are constantly changing. Without a supportive environment, these pressures can become unbearable. Rubina’s heartfelt remarks have resonated with many viewers, drawing attention to the importance of maternal mental health. As awareness of postpartum depression continues to grow, her message serves as a reminder that emotional well-being is just as important as physical health during pregnancy and after childbirth. By encouraging empathy, open conversations, and stronger family support, she hopes more women will receive the care they need during one of the most life-changing phases of their lives.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *