ISLAMABAD – Foreign Office Spokesperson Sajjad Haider on Thursday said the Makkah agreement, signed between Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia last month, is a “defensive alliance”.
Responding to a question at a weekly press briefing, he said there are no plans to expand the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement at the moment.
He also strongly condemned what it described as regrettable attacks by the Houthis on Saudi Arabia and expressed solidarity with the Saudi people.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to respecting Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security. He said Pakistan would continue to support the Kingdom’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
The spokesperson also said foreign ministers from Pakistan and Arab and Islamic countries had rejected Israeli statements and proposals concerning the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. The countries reaffirmed their support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
FO spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan strongly criticised the demolition of an old mosque in Saharanpur, India, describing action against a religious site as contrary to religious freedoms.
He said Pakistan condemned the demolition of the mosque on September 5 and stressed that religious freedoms must be respected. He added that India could not alter the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir through unilateral measures.
The spokesperson also criticised the case against Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik, describing his affidavit as a serious indictment of the Indian judicial system. Pakistan has urged international human rights organisations to examine Malik’s health condition.
Sajjad Haider Khan said the Global Governance Initiative is an important Chinese initiative and that Pakistan is part of the project. He said Pakistan was ready to work with China under the initiative.
