Maryam hits back at Bilawal with video proof

Egypt could become the next country to join the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said. Fidan said the defence pact is broadly comparable to NATO’s mutual defence principle. He stressed that the agreement is not aimed at Iran or any other country. According to the Turkish foreign minister, the pact is designed to provide a framework for the three countries to support each other’s security. He said the member states would consult each other in the event of an attack. They would then determine the nature and level of assistance required. Fidan said Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants the alliance to expand beyond its three founding members. Egypt is among the countries being considered for possible membership. He said some technical issues would need to be resolved before Egypt could join the arrangement. Fidan explained that the alliance would begin with Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. He said the members intended to take gradual but practical steps to build the new security framework. A ministerial committee similar to structures used within NATO is also expected to be established. The alliance will also have a general secretariat based in Saudi Arabia. Further operational details are expected to be discussed during the first meeting of the proposed committee. Fidan said the agreement was the result of negotiations that had continued for more than two years. He also stressed that the new arrangement would not replace existing military alliances. The Turkish minister said the pact was intended to strengthen regional cooperation. He said it could eventually bring more countries together under a common security framework. Meanwhile, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation welcomed the signing of the agreement. OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha expressed strong support for the pact. He described it as an important strategic development for regional and international cooperation. Taha said the agreement could contribute to security and stability across the region and the wider Muslim world. He also praised the leadership of Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. He said their efforts had resulted in what he described as a historic agreement. The pact was signed on Friday during a trilateral summit in Makkah. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the agreement at Al-Safa Palace. Under the agreement, the three countries have committed to strengthening defence cooperation and collective security. The pact also seeks to promote peace, stability and prosperity. Officials said the agreement is not directed against any country. They said it is based on a shared approach to security and burden-sharing. The agreement also establishes a collective deterrence principle. An armed attack against any one of the three member states will be treated as an attack against all three.

ANKARA: Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day was celebrated with a grand ceremony at Pakistan House in Ankara, where Türkiye’s senior leadership joined Pakistani officials, diplomats and members of the community to highlight the deep and enduring friendship between the two countries. Türkiye’s Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz attended the event as chief guest, joined by senior political, military and diplomatic officials. The high-level participation underscored the importance Ankara attaches to its relationship with Islamabad and the longstanding bonds between the two nations. Among those attending were Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler, Chief of General Staff Gen Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, Naval Forces Commander Adm Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, Land Forces Commander Gen Metin Tokel and Air Force Commander Gen Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu. Former senior officials, members of parliament, ambassadors, diplomatic representatives, Pakistani community members and media representatives also attended the ceremony. The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthems of Pakistan and Türkiye. Students from the Pakistan Embassy International Study Group School added a colourful touch to the celebrations with national songs and traditional performances. Guests warmly applauded the cultural presentation. A documentary showcasing Pakistan’s history, cultural heritage, natural beauty, tourism potential and social and economic development was also screened. Yilmaz: Pakistan-Türkiye ties go beyond diplomacy Addressing the gathering, Vice President Yilmaz conveyed greetings from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish people to the government and people of Pakistan. He emphasised that the relationship between Pakistan and Türkiye went far beyond conventional diplomatic ties, describing it as a unique brotherly bond rooted in shared history and mutual solidarity. Yilmaz recalled the support shown by Muslims of the subcontinent to the Turkish people during the Turkish War of Independence, saying the historic connection continued to shape relations between the two countries. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation with Pakistan and said both countries would continue working together to promote peace and stability in the region. The Turkish vice president also highlighted the importance of strengthening strategic cooperation and exploring new avenues for regional collaboration, including greater trilateral cooperation among Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan envoy highlights sacrifices behind independence Pakistan’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Dr Yousaf Junaid, paid tribute to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the sacrifices made during the Pakistan Movement. He said Pakistan’s independence was achieved through extraordinary courage, perseverance, determination and sacrifice. The ambassador urged Pakistanis to strengthen national unity and work collectively for the country’s stability, prosperity and development. Referring to Pakistan-Türkiye relations, Junaid said the partnership was based not merely on formal diplomacy but on shared values, history, mutual trust and strong public sentiment. He said cooperation between the two countries was expanding across defence, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people contacts. Jinnah exhibition adds historic touch The ceremony also featured a special photographic exhibition marking the 150th birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Vice President Yilmaz, Ambassador Junaid and other dignitaries jointly inaugurated the exhibition, which highlighted Jinnah’s life, political vision, leadership and historic role in the creation of Pakistan. The event concluded with a traditional Pakistani dinner hosted in the gardens of Pakistan House. Against the backdrop of Pakistan’s green and white flags and warm Turkish hospitality, the Ankara celebration became more than an Independence Day ceremony. It served as a vivid reminder of a relationship built on history, affection and mutual trust — and of the two countries’ shared ambition to take that friendship into a stronger and broader future.

Rescue teams in eastern Indonesia are preparing to intensify operations after a powerful earthquake killed at least 54 people and damaged hundreds of homes across East Nusa Tenggara. Authorities said the search for people who may still be trapped under collapsed structures would continue on Monday. Rescue officials are also preparing helicopters for aerial surveillance and equipment to remove people from damaged buildings. The earthquake has been followed by nearly 1,600 aftershocks in the affected province, according to local officials. A magnitude 5.6 tremor was also recorded in the region on Monday morning, adding to fears among residents who have been reluctant to return to their homes. The disaster has disrupted Independence Day celebrations across parts of Indonesia. Thousands of residents have been evacuated and many are staying in temporary shelters, tents and other open areas because of concerns about further tremors. Indonesia’s disaster management agency said the earthquake had damaged about 500 houses. Landslides also blocked roads in several areas, including Sikka and Manggarai, making it more difficult for emergency teams to reach affected communities. Survivors have reported shortages of basic necessities, including clean water, food and medical assistance. In one affected village, residents said children had developed diarrhoea because of poor access to safe drinking water. Some injured and vulnerable residents are being treated at makeshift medical facilities. Health authorities are preparing emergency field hospitals and say specialist doctors, including neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons, are needed to treat people suffering from head injuries and broken bones. Authorities are also preparing aircraft to transport food, tents and other relief supplies to communities cut off by damaged roads and landslides. Rescue officials said there were no confirmed reports of missing people at the time of their latest update. However, search teams are continuing to inspect damaged areas to ensure that no survivors remain trapped beneath the rubble. The earthquake has deeply affected local communities, with many residents prioritising safety over the country’s Independence Day celebrations. Some families have moved to higher ground after fearing that further tremors could trigger additional hazards. Indonesia has experienced several major earthquakes in recent years. The latest disaster is being described as the country’s deadliest since a devastating 2022 earthquake in West Java claimed hundreds of lives. With aftershocks continuing and access to some areas still difficult, emergency authorities are focusing on rescue operations, medical treatment and the delivery of essential supplies to affected communities.