Summary The spokesperson condemned the demolition of an old mosque in Saharanpur on September 5, stressing that religious freedoms must be respected
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan on Thursday described the Makkah agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye as a ‘defensive alliance’, saying there were currently no plans to expand the pact to other countries.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan made the remarks during his weekly briefing in response to a question about Pakistan’s obligations under the agreement following a Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia.
The spokesperson said the agreement, signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye last month, was focused on defence and did not envisage any immediate expansion.
During press briefing FO spokesperson also reiterated Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir dispute, saying it remained an unresolved issue on the United Nations agenda and India could not alter its disputed status through unilateral measures.
He expressed concern over the human rights situation in occupied Kashmir and particularly the health of Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik. Pakistan, he said, condemned Malik’s continued detention and legal proceedings and had urged international human rights organisations to assess his health condition.
The spokesperson also condemned the demolition of an old mosque in Saharanpur on September 5, stressing that religious freedoms must be respected.
The briefing also covered Pakistan’s recent diplomatic engagements with Kyrgyzstan, Egypt, Norway and Kuwait.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Kyrgyzstan reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to stronger bilateral ties, with several MoUs signed between the two sides.
Ishaq Dar held telephone conversations with the foreign ministers of Egypt and Norway, while Prime Minister Shehbaz spoke with Kuwait’s foreign minister. The officials agreed to continue consultations and hold meetings during the UN General Assembly session.
On Gaza, the FO spokesperson said Pakistan and other Muslim and Arab countries rejected proposals for the forced displacement of Palestinians and reiterated support for an independent Palestinian state.
Pakistan has also sent 100 tonnes of relief goods to flood-hit Nepal, while the country is scheduled to host the South Asian Games in April 2027.
The spokesperson said Pakistan was ready to cooperate with China under its Global Governance Initiative.
He also disclosed that the Anti-Narcotics Force had seized 200kg of narcotics at Karachi port after coordination with Sri Lankan authorities and broken up a major trafficking network allegedly headed by an Afghan national.diate expansion of Mecca defence
