• PM Shehbaz briefs president on defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye
• Both leaders pledge to eradicate terrorism from country
• National Assembly, Senate summoned to meet on 17th
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on President Asif Ali Zardari here on Friday and briefed him on the recently signed defence pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, according to a statement issued by the Presidency.
President Zardari “expressed his best wishes for the effective implementation of the tripartite agreement with regard to defence cooperation, regional peace and stability and promotion of the security of the Muslim Ummah”, the statement added.
He also appreciated PM Shehbaz and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir’s efforts for “further strengthening the longstanding fraternal relations between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan into a robust strategic partnership”, the statement added.
The joint defence agreement, signed on Aug 7 in Makkah, aims to strengthen collective deterrence and empowers its signatory states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them.
Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia will form political and military mechanisms under the defence pact, Turkiye’s defence ministry said on Thursday, adding that the alliance would also deepen defence industry cooperation.
Counterterrorism discussed
Apart from discussions on the Makkah pact, “the professional capabilities of the security forces and law enforcement agencies in operations against Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij were appreciated” during Friday’s meeting, the statement said.
The state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as Fitna al-Hindustan to highlight India’s role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan, while Fitna al-Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
The meeting’s participants reiterated the “resolve to eradicate the scourge of terrorism” from the country, the statement said, adding that foreign and interior affairs were also discussed.
President Zardari also emphasised “the need for effective measures to provide relief to the people” in light of the current regional situation. He also stressed the need for an “uninterrupted supply of essential commodities and their availability at reasonable prices”.
He “expressed the hope that Pakistan’s effective diplomatic efforts for the promotion of regional and global peace would further strengthen the country’s international standing, and that its positive impact would be reflected in the national economy and the lives of the people”, the statement said.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior and Narcotics Control Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan and PPP Senator Sherry Rehman.
NA, Senate sessions
President Zardari approved summaries forwarded by PM Shehbaz, including one for the summoning of the National Assembly and the Senate on Aug 17.
“The president has [also] approved the awarding of military honours to 1,172 personnel from the armed forces and civil armed forces,” a separate statement issued by the Presidency said.
“The president has approved summoning the National Assembly session on Aug 17 at 5pm and the Senate session at 4pm,” it added.
President Zardari has also approved a special 100-day remission in the sentences of eligible prisoners on the occasion of Independence Day and Eid Miladun Nabi, the statement said.
The president also approved the awarding of national honours to citizens from various civil sectors.
Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2026