JEDDAH – Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye are expected to ink a significant defence agreement in Jedday today amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving the US, Iran and Israel.
Reports said Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are set to hold meeting later today.
A day earlier, PM Shehbaz departed for Saudi Arabia on an official visit from 6–8 August 2026. He has been accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff & the Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, and other ministers.
During the visit, the prime minister will meet with Saudi crown prince. Discussions would focus on consolidating the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations as well as exchange of views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.
The visit marks Pakistan’s longstanding partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia anchored in decades of mutual trust, cooperation and brotherhood.
Although taking place against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Gulf, the visit carries significance beyond the immediate crises and short-term considerations. It will further strengthen bilateral relations, deepen strategic cooperation, enhance coordination on regional and international issues of mutual interest, and reinforce multilateral cooperation.
A day earlier, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi described the visit as highly significant, saying it will provide fresh momentum to the decades-old strategic partnership between Islamabad and Riyadh.
Amid growing concerns over tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, Pakistan has reiterated its efforts to support diplomatic solutions.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said Islamabad is actively working to play a mediatory role, adding that any agreement related to the strategic maritime route would be of “great importance.”
Pakistan also praised Oman’s diplomatic efforts, expressing hope that continued negotiations could help resolve outstanding issues.
