RIYADH: Pakistan’s Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood (Retd), Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military), has been appointed the first Secretary-General of the Makkah Joint Alliance for Defence (MJDA) for a three-year term, as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye moved to strengthen the alliance’s collective response to threats facing the Kingdom.
The appointment was made during an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee (S-PDC) of the MJDA in Riyadh on October 5, which was convened to discuss security developments and threats facing Saudi Arabia.
The committee welcomed Nauman Mahmood and wished him success in discharging his responsibilities. The three countries expressed confidence in his contribution to advancing the alliance and achieving its objectives.
The appointment was described as an important step in the institutional development of the MJDA. The committee reviewed the outcomes of political and military consultations held ahead of the meeting and approved the recommendations presented to it.
The committee affirmed that the alliance reflected a firm commitment to collective defence and a unified position in confronting threats.
It also decided to immediately move towards the practical implementation of collective defence commitments and take necessary measures to provide the agreed military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in Saudi Arabia.
The deployment will be carried out in accordance with approved arrangements and the national legislation of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
The measures are aimed at enhancing military readiness, integration and the collective capacity of the three countries to confront and counter threats.
The three parties affirmed that the security of each country was an integral part of the collective security of all three members.
They said translating the MJDA into practical measures demonstrated the credibility of their commitment to collective defence, strengthened deterrence and reaffirmed their unity and determination to defend their security, sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with the provisions of the agreement.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye strongly condemned the attempted targeting of the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah, as well as continuing attacks targeting cities and civilian and economic facilities in Saudi Arabia.
They reaffirmed their unequivocal rejection of any attack or threat against the Kingdom’s security and territorial integrity.
Pakistan and Turkiye commended the vigilance and readiness of the Saudi Armed Forces, as well as their professionalism and high level of competence in countering threats and attacks facing the Kingdom and safeguarding its security and territorial integrity.
During the meeting, the three countries exchanged views on the latest regional developments and expressed their resolve to work closely for regional peace and stability.
Pakistan expressed unwavering solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed its full support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security.
Islamabad also reiterated its continued commitment to making every effort to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the emergency meeting from the Pakistani side.
