ISLAMABAD – Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said “anyone who has a shared vision of collective deterrence and regional peace” can join the Makkah Defence Pact.
In an interview with international media, he said Iran and other regional states could become members if they share a common vision for regional peace.
The military spokesperson said the agreement’s provisions did not prevent the inclusion of additional countries. He added that nations committed to the shared objective of regional peace would be welcomed.
Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the possibility of Iran joining the agreement was also open, provided it supported the common vision. However, he clarified that any decision regarding the inclusion of new members would rest with the political leadership of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.
Pakistan cautiously optimistic on US-Iran mediation
Commenting on Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Iran and the United States, the DG ISPR said Islamabad remained cautiously optimistic about the prospects of progress.
He described Field Marshal Asim Munir’s recent two visits to Tehran within a month as a positive development, arguing that repeated visits indicated progress in the diplomatic process.
He also pointed to the presence of influential elements seeking to undermine the mediation efforts and criticising the process without justification. According to him, these elements believe that the continuation of the conflict and war serves their interests.
Pakistan reiterates commitment to Saudi defence
On the possibility of deploying additional Pakistani troops to Saudi Arabia, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said any such decision would depend on the prevailing situation and the direction given by the country’s political leadership.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s defence, stating that protecting the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah was part of Pakistan’s resolve.
The DG ISPR also clarified that Pakistan was not a party to the internal conflict in Yemen, describing it as a dispute among domestic Yemeni factions.
Counterterrorism operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Addressing the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military spokesperson said intelligence-based operations against terrorism in the province would be intensified.
