pakistan saudi arabia
| | | |

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye sign Makkah jo…

MAKKAH: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, pledging to strengthen collective security and defence cooperation among the three countries.

The agreement was signed on Friday during a high-level summit at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah, where Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

According to the agreement, the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collective security and promoting peace, stability and security in the region and beyond.

The agreement is based on the longstanding relations and shared strategic interests of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. It also highlights their continued defence cooperation and commitment to closer coordination on security matters.

Any attack to be treated as an attack on all three

A key provision of the agreement states that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all three.

The pact is intended to enhance collective deterrence against acts of aggression and expand cooperation across various areas of defence.

The agreement also seeks to strengthen military and security coordination among the three states and build a framework for closer cooperation in the face of regional security challenges.

The summit brought together the leaders at a time of heightened tensions and instability across the Middle East. Recent reporting had indicated that the three countries were preparing to deepen defence coordination through a joint pact.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

The leaders also reviewed bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation.

The Makkah agreement marks a significant development in defence ties among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, establishing a stronger trilateral framework for collective security and defence cooperation.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Government reviews splitting LESCO, MEPCO before privatisation

    The Ministry of Privatisation has established a high-level Technical Committee to examine the feasibility of dividing the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) and Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) into two or three smaller power distribution companies before their proposed privatisation, according to informed sources. The move is part of the government’s broader strategy to reform Pakistan’s power distribution sector and make state-owned electricity companies more attractive for private investment. LESCO and MEPCO currently serve the largest geographical areas and consumer bases among the country’s distribution companies (DISCOs), prompting officials to assess whether restructuring them into smaller entities could improve operational efficiency and facilitate the privatisation process. Technical Committee Constituted The committee is headed by Sajid Akram, Adviser (Power) at the Privatisation Commission. Other members include Ghulam Rasool, Joint Secretary at the Privatisation Commission; Imran Hafeez, Additional Director Tariff at the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA); and Abid Lodhi, Managing Director of the Power Planning and Monitoring Company (PPMC). The committee has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of the proposal and submitting recommendations to the government after evaluating its technical, operational and strategic implications. Weak Performance Raises Concerns Officials familiar with the matter said that both LESCO and MEPCO have consistently faced operational challenges, particularly in controlling electricity theft, reducing transmission and distribution losses, and improving bill recovery. These issues have affected their financial performance and have remained a major concern for policymakers pursuing reforms in the power sector. Recent audit reports for the fiscal year 2024-25 also highlighted unsatisfactory performance by both companies, reinforcing the need for structural reforms before moving ahead with the privatisation programme. MEPCO: Pakistan’s Largest Distribution Company MEPCO was incorporated in 1998 as a public sector company and operates under a permanent electricity distribution licence issued by NEPRA. The company is wholly owned by the Government of Pakistan through the Ministry of Energy. Serving nearly 8.76 million consumers across 13 districts of southern Punjab, MEPCO is the country’s largest electricity distribution company in terms of customer base. Its extensive network includes more than 82,000 kilometres of distribution lines and over 780 grid stations, supplying electricity across a vast region bordering three provinces. The company has initiated several modernisation projects, including the deployment of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), commonly known as smart metering, and digital billing systems aimed at improving transparency, reducing losses and enhancing customer services. LESCO Serving Over Seven Million Consumers LESCO also began operations in 1998 and supplies electricity to approximately 7.05 million consumers across Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Okara. Its consumer base includes domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural and bulk supply customers. The company’s operational network is divided into eight circles supervised by Superintending Engineers and 41 divisions managed by Executive Engineers to oversee field operations. In recent years, LESCO has accelerated efforts to modernise its infrastructure through the installation of smart meters, with plans to convert its entire consumer base to the Advanced Metering Infrastructure by 2029. However, the company continues to face significant operational hurdles, including shortages of transformers and electricity meters, resulting in delays in providing new connections and replacing faulty equipment. These issues have drawn criticism from regulators and consumers alike. Committee’s Terms of Reference According to the approved Terms of Reference (ToRs), the Technical Committee will: Assess the feasibility of splitting LESCO and MEPCO into two or three smaller distribution companies. Examine the potential advantages and disadvantages of such restructuring in line with the National Electricity Plan, the government’s Power Policy and the ongoing privatisation programme. Review whether similar committees were constituted in the past and analyse their findings, recommendations and implementation status. The committee’s recommendations are expected to play an important role in determining whether the government proceeds with restructuring the two major DISCOs before offering them for privatisation.

  • | |

    IRGC warns UK of retaliation as US maintains naval…

    TEHRAN: Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated further after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any country assisting Washington in military operations against Tehran could become a legitimate target, while the US confirmed its naval blockade on Iran remains fully operational. An IRGC spokesperson, speaking to Iranian state media, warned that countries providing logistical or military support to the United States—including the United Kingdom—would face retaliation. The official alleged that US B-1 bombers had recently used British bases during strikes on Iran, claiming any nation involved in such operations would be treated as a direct participant in the conflict. The warning came as reports emerged that US President Donald Trump has temporarily suspended plans for additional strikes on Iran after nearly two weeks of continuous military operations. According to US media, the decision was influenced by concerns over dwindling missile defence stockpiles, the risk of wider regional escalation and the desire to allow more room for diplomatic efforts. Despite the pause in airstrikes, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said its naval blockade against Iran remains in force. US forces reported intercepting several commercial vessels suspected of attempting to breach the blockade, redirecting multiple ships, disabling one vessel that ignored repeated warnings and carrying out verification inspections on others before allowing them to continue their voyages. US officials said contingency plans remain in place should military operations resume, underscoring that Washington is maintaining pressure on Tehran while keeping diplomatic options open. Meanwhile, Iran’s latest warning has added to growing concerns that the confrontation could draw more regional and international actors into the crisis.

  • | |

    Danyal Zafar’s embarrassing school moment goes viral

    Pakistani singer and actor Danyal Zafar has delighted fans after a humorous personal anecdote detailing an embarrassing moment from his school days resurfaced on social media, quickly going viral across digital platforms. ​Known for his candid personality and self-deprecating humor, the young artist—who made a name for himself in television hit series like Tanaa Banaa and Zanjeerain—recalled the nostalgic incident during an interactive digital appearance, leaving viewers in splits. ​Sharing the lighthearted memory, Danyal reminisced about his student days at Beaconhouse in Lahore and the awkward situations that often accompany adolescence. He recalled a specific instance where an attempt to look cool and impress his peers completely backfired in front of his entire class and teachers. The unexpected blunder instantly turned him into the center of attention for all the wrong reasons, leaving him thoroughly mortified at the time. ​”Looking back at school memories, you realize that the moments you thought were total disasters back then are actually the funniest stories you tell later in life. We all had those days where we just wanted the ground to open up and swallow us whole.” ​The viral clip struck a relatable chord with netizens and fans, who flooded comment sections with their own nostalgic and embarrassing school experiences. Fans praised Danyal for his down-to-earth persona and willingness to share vulnerable, relatable moments without worrying about maintaining a polished celebrity image. ​Danyal, who has built a versatile career spanning music and acting while carving out his own identity alongside his elder brother Ali Zafar, continues to maintain a strong rapport with his fanbase through genuine, unfiltered interactions. The viral response highlights how public figures sharing humorous, everyday missteps can foster a deeper, more authentic connection with their audience.

  • Thailand Suspects Foreigners Piloting Cambodian Bomber Drones in Border Conflict

    BANGKOK – The Thai army has expressed suspicions that foreign nationals may be operating the bomber drones used by Cambodian forces in the ongoing border clashes. The 2nd Army Area, responsible for Thailand’s northeastern frontier, raised the alarm in a Facebook post on Thursday, citing radio intercepts during drone attacks that featured English communications. Cambodia […]

  • | |

    Karachi lawyers halt court proceedings over allege…

    KARACHI: Lawyers in Karachi have announced a boycott of court proceedings and barred police personnel from entering the City Courts following an alleged assault on a former member of the Karachi Bar Association’s Managing Committee at Gulbahar Police Station. The Karachi Bar Association (KBA) lawyers shut the main entrances of the City Courts, preventing both police officials and members of the public from entering the court premises. The move came as lawyers protested what they described as the mistreatment of their colleague. The lawyers also stopped police personnel from entering the City Courts and called for a complete boycott of judicial proceedings. Their protest disrupted routine legal activities across the court complex. As a result of the strike, authorities did not bring prisoners from jails to the City Courts for scheduled hearings. The boycott also brought regular court operations to a standstill, leaving several cases and judicial proceedings suspended. The lawyers have taken the action in response to the alleged violence against their former Managing Committee member and are demanding action over the incident.

  • | |

    LHC dismisses PTI’s Minar-e-Pakistan rally p…

    The Lahore High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which sought permission to hold a public rally at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore. During the hearing, the court ruled that the petition had become unnecessary because the Deputy Commissioner (DC) had already made a decision on the party’s request for the gathering. The bench observed that the court must act within the framework of the law and cannot intervene once the competent administrative authority has issued its decision. The judges noted that the matter no longer required judicial consideration, as the relevant government official had already exercised the authority assigned under the law. On this basis, the court dismissed PTI’s plea. The ruling marks another legal setback for PTI in its efforts to secure permission for a public meeting at the historic Minar-e-Pakistan venue, where the party has previously held major political gatherings. The decision leaves the administrative authorities’ determination on the proposed rally in place.

Leave a Reply

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