Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described the recently signed Pakistan-Saudi-Türkiye defence agreement in Makkah as an initiative aimed at peace, security and prosperity, stressing that the pact is not directed against any country.
Addressing a federal cabinet meeting, the prime minister said the agreement builds on Pakistan's existing defence partnership with Saudi Arabia and decades-long ties with Türkiye.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said the trilateral defence agreement was signed in Makkah by himself, the Saudi crown prince and the Turkish president. He said the agreement is an extension of the Pakistan-Saudi defence agreement, adding that Pakistan has maintained relations with Türkiye for decades.
According to the prime minister, the purpose of the three-country agreement is to promote peace and prosperity in the region. He described the pact as a source of strength for the entire Muslim Ummah.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Energy. Islamabad, 28 July 2026. pic.twitter.com/7XAwpIwB3q
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) July 28, 2026
Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir over the agreement, saying efforts toward the pact had been underway for many years.
Cabinet briefed on defence pact
During the meeting, the federal cabinet was briefed on international matters, including details of the Pakistan-Saudi-Türkiye trilateral defence agreement.
According to sources, the cabinet described the agreement as historic after being briefed on its key aspects.
The prime minister said the agreement should be viewed as an effort to strengthen peace, security and prosperity rather than as an act of aggression against anyone.
The prime minister also spoke at length about Pakistan's fight against terrorism and paid tribute to security personnel and civilians who have lost their lives. He said many police personnel had been martyred in Hangu, while Pakistani youth had also sacrificed their lives in Swat.
Shehbaz specifically paid tribute to Captain Hamza Akram, who he said sacrificed his life for the country, as well as DSP Diyar Khan.
He also remembered the late MNA Iqbal Channar of Bahawalpur, describing him as a comrade who had been lost in the fight against terrorism.
The prime minister said security forces have continued operations against the terrorists day and night, adding that the sacrifices of the martyrs would not go in vain.
He expressed confidence that Pakistan would once again be free from terrorism and move toward peace and development.
No lawlessness to be allowed in AJK
Turning to the situation in Azad Kashmir, Prime Minister Shehbaz said no one could be allowed to spread lawlessness in the region.
He said those creating unrest in Azad Kashmir were allegedly acting on the instructions of outside elements.
The prime minister stressed that any genuine demands should be addressed through dialogue and negotiations rather than confrontation.
He said the government would provide an opportunity to those who wanted to hold talks, but lawlessness could not be permitted in any society.
Shehbaz recalled that an All Parties Conference had been organised before the Azad Kashmir elections and said all parties had participated in it, although he noted that one party had not taken part.
PML-N majority seen as mandate for development
The prime minister said the people of Azad Kashmir had voted overwhelmingly for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), resulting in the party securing a majority in the assembly.
He described the vote as support for Nawaz Sharif's leadership, saying a new period of construction and development would begin in Azad Kashmir under his leadership.
Shehbaz said that after the formation of the PML-N government in Azad Kashmir, a new journey of development would begin and the elected government would work to address the region's problems.
He also said the new Azad Kashmir government would celebrate August 14 with great enthusiasm.
Refugee seats and political dialogue
Speaking about the refugee seats in Azad Kashmir, the prime minister said that after completion of the elections and formation of the new government, discussions on the issue would resume.
He reiterated that no one would be allowed to damage the situation in Azad Kashmir and said the government would continue providing space for dialogue to those seeking negotiations.
Prime Minister said Pakistan would continue moving toward peace and development and expressed the resolve to make the country Quaid's Pakistan in the true sense.
He linked the country's future progress with the sacrifices being made against terrorism, saying the blood of the martyrs would not be wasted.
The prime minister's remarks came as the federal government continues to focus on security, regional diplomacy and economic development alongside the implementation of domestic reforms.
Wheat import and PTV funding
The federal cabinet also considered a proposal to import one million tonnes of wheat, according to sources. Sources said Rs3.25 billion would immediately be provided to Pakistan Television (PTV) for the first quarter.
The prime minister also took the cabinet into confidence regarding international matters, while the cabinet received a detailed briefing on the recently signed trilateral defence agreement.
The cabinet's description of the Pakistan-Saudi-Türkiye pact as historic underscored the government's view of the agreement as an important development in Pakistan's regional diplomatic and security relations.
