UBG terms Makkah agreement as ray of hope for Muslim states unity

KARACHI: President of the United Business Group (UBG) Zubair Tufail has said that it must be understood that the historical weaknesses and divisions among Muslims have always strengthened their adversaries.

Our borders have continuously faced threats, while our political and economic strength has also been affected. If we unite today and enter into joint defense agreements, it offers a new ray of hope that Muslim countries can set aside their differences and unite for common interests.

The Makkah agreement is a shining example of recognizing this need and laying a strong foundation for the future. He termed the joint defense agreement signed between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye in Makkah an important and welcome development towards promoting defense, diplomatic and strategic cooperation among the three brotherly Muslim countries.

Zubair Tufail said that the agreement has been reached at a time when the world is facing various crises, changes, trade disputes and regional conflicts. In such circumstances, a joint defense alliance among major Muslim countries is not only important for the security and sovereignty of the Muslim Ummah but also represents a historic decision for strengthening its self-confidence.

Zubair Tufail said that the agreement paves the way for mutual cooperation among the three countries to safeguard each other’s security, sovereignty, prosperity and regional stability. Under the agreement, cooperation will be promoted in several areas, including the exchange of defense information, joint military exercises, and transfer of security technologies, arms production and cyber defense. The agreement between the three countries will provide a new direction and a stronger foundation for their mutual relations.

He said that the agreement holds particular importance for Pakistan. Pakistan has strong defense capabilities and longstanding brotherly and strategic relations with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. Increased defense cooperation among the three countries will not only be important for regional security but will also create new opportunities for the promotion of Pakistan’s economy, industry, trade and investment.

He said that if Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye transform their bilateral relations into broader economic cooperation, new markets and opportunities will emerge for businessmen, investors and industrialists in all three countries. Joint projects in the fields of industry, trade, infrastructure, energy and technology can create employment opportunities. As a result, economic ties between Pakistan and brotherly Muslim countries will strengthen and the scope of economic cooperation will expand further.

Zubair Tufail said that there is a need to ensure that the agreement is not limited merely to a defense document, but is transformed into the foundation for broader economic, political, diplomatic and social cooperation.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026