PM welcomes Trump’s support

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s support for Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, saying Islamabad would continue to play a constructive role in securing the region.

In a post on X, the PM said he appreciated Trump’s comments backing the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which was signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye earlier this month.

“Together with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role in ensuring the defence of our own countries as well as the entire region,” he wrote.

READ MORE: Makkah Joint Defence Agreement: PM says ‘a landmark moment’

He also praised what he called Trump’s “courageous and decisive leadership”, saying it had helped avert a nuclear catastrophe in South Asia and saved millions of lives.

Sharif said durable peace was essential for the region’s future.

His comments came after Trump said on Truth Social that he was “very happy” that Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan had “recently, and finally” signed the agreement.

Trump described the pact as evidence of greater regional cooperation, saying countries in the region would eventually be able to defend themselves “in a more meaningful way”.

“Congratulations to the Great Leadership of the three Nations mentioned,” Trump wrote, calling the agreement a “BIG, BOLD, AND IMPORTANT FIRST STEP”.

The Makkah agreement, signed in Makkah on August 7, formalised closer military and strategic cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.

It provides for collective deterrence and says an armed attack against any one of the signatories would be regarded as an attack against all three.

The pact also provides a framework for broader cooperation in defence and security.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026