Pakistan Reaffirms Commitment to Makkah Defence Agreement

ISLAMABAD: (Staff Reporter) – Pakistan remains committed “in intent and spirit” to implementing the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA) with Saudi Arabia, while details concerning the timing, location and nature of any potential military response will remain confidential, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said on Thursday.

Responding to questions about Pakistan’s obligations under the agreement amid Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, the spokesperson said Islamabad was committed to both the MJDA and the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA).

He said decisions regarding when, where and how Pakistan would respond to a threat, including the type of force, objectives and operational methods, involved sensitive matters that could not be disclosed at this stage.

The spokesperson said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had strongly condemned the attempted drone attack targeting the holy sites in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, describing the incident as deeply distressing for the people of Pakistan.

He said Pakistan remained concerned over the continuing escalation in the region and its potential impact on regional peace, maritime navigation and global energy supplies. Islamabad, he added, continued to call for dialogue and diplomacy to address tensions.

Pakistan Protests Indian Naval Incident

The Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan 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” incident involving an Indian naval vessel in Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone on September 15.

According to Khan, the incident took place while the Pakistan Navy was conducting its biennial Sea Spark-26 exercise. He said the Indian vessel allegedly carried out aggressive manoeuvres close to a Pakistani naval ship, resulting in contact between the two vessels.

Pakistan considers the incident a serious violation of international law as well as the 1991 bilateral agreement concerning advance notification of military exercises, manoeuvres and troop movements, he said.

He added that Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi was also scheduled to lodge a similar diplomatic protest with India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

Pakistan Rejects India’s Objections to China Boundary Pact

The FO spokesperson categorically rejected India’s objections to the 1963 Pakistan-China Boundary Agreement and the recently operationalised Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission.

Khan described China as an “all-weather and tested strategic cooperative partner” and said the 1963 agreement remained 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 region whose final status should be determined in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Pakistan Clarifies Sikh Pilgrims’ Visa Issue

Responding to reports that Pakistani Sikh pilgrims had been prevented from travelling to India, the spokesperson 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 planned to travel to India to visit religious sites, but the visas issued by the Indian High Commission were not covered by the 1974 bilateral protocol governing pilgrimage visits.

Pakistan, Khan said, remained committed to facilitating Sikh pilgrims, noting that more than 2,800 visas had been issued for Baisakhi alone this year, in addition to visas issued for other religious occasions.

He said the Kartarpur Corridor was currently closed by India rather than Pakistan and Islamabad remained ready to facilitate Sikh pilgrims through the corridor whenever India allowed its reopening.

Ishaq Dar Holds Talks With IAEA Chief

The spokesperson said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke by telephone with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi on September 15.

The two discussed the evolving regional situation and agreed that implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding remained the most effective way to help reduce tensions.

Grossi also offered technical assistance if required, Khan said.

PM Shehbaz to Lead UNGA Delegation

Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would lead Pakistan’s delegation to the high-level segment of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York next week.

He said the prime minister would present Pakistan’s position on major regional and global developments while emphasising dialogue, diplomacy, restraint and peaceful resolution of disputes.

The Pakistani delegation is expected to raise issues including sustainable development, climate change, counterterrorism, Islamophobia, global economic challenges, UN reforms, the Global South, Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.

Pakistan Hosts SCO Anti-Terrorism 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.

According to the spokesperson, participants reviewed regional security developments and cooperation against terrorism, separatism and extremism.

The participants also agreed to strengthen information-sharing mechanisms and undertake joint activities in 2027.

Pakistan-China Boundary Commission Operationalised

The Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission was formally 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 improving people-to-people connectivity between the two countries.

The spokesperson 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.

Pakistan, Lebanon Sign Prisoner Transfer Agreement

Khan said Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar’s visit to Pakistan from September 14 to 15 focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of interior affairs and security.

During the visit, Pakistan and Lebanon signed a memorandum of understanding on the transfer of sentenced persons, establishing a legal framework for convicted nationals to serve the remainder of their sentences in their respective home countries.

The spokesperson said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ishaq Dar also discussed ways to enhance cooperation in law enforcement and strengthen people-to-people contacts with his Lebanese counterpart.