ISLAMABAD: Pakistan remains committed in “intent and spirit” to implementing the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA) with Saudi Arabia, but operational details regarding any possible response to threats will remain confidential, Foreign Office spokesperson Ambassador Sajjad Haider Khan said on Thursday.
Responding to questions about Pakistan’s obligations under the agreement amid continuing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, Khan said Islamabad was committed to implementing both the MJDA and the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA).
“However, when, how, where, and what force will be used against what objectives, in which modes, and matters of operational confidentiality require us some discreetness at this stage,” he said during his weekly press briefing.
Pakistan condemns attack targeting Makkah
Khan said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had condemned in the “strongest possible terms” an attempted drone attack targeting the holy sites in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, describing the incident as deeply distressing for the people of Pakistan.
The prime minister praised the vigilance and response of the Royal Saudi Armed Forces and called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation.
“Pakistan stands unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder, with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the security and sanctity of Haramain Sharifain,” Shehbaz said in a message on X on Wednesday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also condemned the attack, saying it violated Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, offended the religious sentiments of Muslims worldwide and threatened regional peace and security.
Pakistan had earlier condemned drone attacks targeting the East-West oil pipeline in the Riyadh and Madina regions that caused damage to the pipeline and injuries to civilians.
Shehbaz also spoke to Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman on September 13 and reiterated Pakistan’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for efforts aimed at de-escalation and peace.
Khan said Pakistan remained concerned over the continuing escalation and its implications for regional peace, maritime navigation and global energy supplies. He said Islamabad continued to advocate dialogue and diplomacy.
Pakistan-Lebanon pact on sentenced prisoners
The spokesperson said Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar’s September 14-15 visit to Pakistan focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in interior and security affairs.
During the visit, Pakistan and Lebanon signed a memorandum of understanding on the transfer of sentenced persons, providing a legal framework for convicted nationals to serve the remainder of their sentences in their respective home countries.
Khan said Shehbaz had reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Dar discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in law enforcement and people-to-people contacts with his Lebanese counterpart.
Pakistan protests Indian naval action
Khan said Pakistan had summoned India’s Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad on Wednesday night and lodged a strong protest over what it described as a “highly provocative and unacceptable” action by an Indian naval vessel in Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone on September 15.
He said the incident occurred while the Pakistan Navy was conducting its biennial Sea Spark-26 exercise, with the Indian vessel allegedly carrying out manoeuvres close to a Pakistani naval ship, resulting in contact between the two vessels.
According to the spokesperson, Pakistan considers the incident a serious violation of international law and the 1991 bilateral agreement on advance notice of military exercises, manoeuvres and troop movements.
Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi was also scheduled to lodge a similar demarche with India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
FO rejects India’s objections to boundary agreement
Khan rejected India’s objections to the Pakistan-China Boundary Agreement of 1963 and the newly operationalised Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission.
“China is not only our neighbour but an all-weather strategic cooperative partner,” he said, describing the 1963 agreement as a valid arrangement between Pakistan and China.
He also rejected India’s position on Jammu and Kashmir, reiterating Pakistan’s stance that the territory remains an internationally recognised disputed territory whose final disposition should be determined in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
FO rejects claim over Sikh pilgrims
Responding to reports that Pakistani Sikh pilgrims had been prevented from travelling to India, Khan rejected the claim that they had been stopped from boarding their flight.
He said a private group of around 90 to 100 Pakistani Sikhs had reportedly planned to travel to India to visit religious shrines, but the visas issued by the Indian High Commission were not covered under the 1974 bilateral protocol governing pilgrimage visits.
Pakistan, he said, remained committed to welcoming Sikh pilgrims and had issued more than 2,800 visas for Baisakhi alone this year, in addition to visas issued for other religious occasions.
Khan said the Kartarpur Corridor was currently closed by India and not Pakistan, adding that Islamabad was ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims through the corridor “as and when India allows them”.
Dar, Grossi discuss regional tensions
The spokesperson said Dar had also held a telephone conversation with International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi on September 15, during which they discussed the evolving regional situation.
Both sides agreed that implementation of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding remained the most effective course of action to reduce regional tensions, while Grossi offered technical support if required, Khan said.
PM to attend UN General Assembly
Khan said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would lead Pakistan’s delegation to the high-level segment of the 81st United Nations General Assembly session in New York next week.
He said the prime minister would highlight Pakistan’s positions on regional and global developments and stress dialogue, diplomacy, restraint and peaceful resolution of disputes.
The delegation would also raise issues including sustainable development, climate change, counterterrorism, Islamophobia, global economic challenges, UN reforms, the Global South, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.
Pakistan hosts SCO counterterrorism meeting
Pakistan hosted the 46th meeting of the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO-RATS) in Islamabad on September 14, Khan said.
The meeting reviewed regional security developments and cooperation among member states against terrorism, separatism and extremism. Participants also agreed to strengthen information-sharing mechanisms and undertake joint activities in 2027.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission was operationalised on September 16, with its inaugural meeting held at the Foreign Office in Islamabad. The commission will focus on border management, joint surveys, trade facilitation and people-to-people connectivity.
Khan also acknowledged the retirement of Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch after more than three decades of diplomatic service and praised her contributions to Pakistan’s foreign policy and diplomatic service.
