RAWALPINDI: Pakistan remains committed to diplomatic efforts to resolve the Middle East conflict peacefully and is working to prevent the hostilities from spreading further, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said.
In an interview with CNN, the military spokesperson said Pakistan wanted to ensure that the conflict did not expand either horizontally or vertically. He added that Islamabad would continue making every possible effort to bridge differences between the parties and facilitate a peaceful settlement.
Responding to a question about Pakistan’s ability to serve as a neutral mediator amid Iranian attacks on Saudi Arabia and the involvement of Iran-aligned Houthi forces, Lt Gen Chaudhry said Pakistan had established itself as an honest broker.
He maintained that the country’s approach was based on honesty and transparency, adding that Islamabad had clearly communicated its position to all its partners and friendly countries.
The ISPR director general said Pakistan had openly condemned attacks by Israel and the United States against Iran, while also denouncing Iranian strikes on Arab and Gulf countries.
“We do not mince our words. Why? Because we have a stake in regional peace and stability,” he said, stressing that no country would benefit from a further expansion of the war.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye advance defence cooperation
Discussing the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, Lt Gen Chaudhry said Pakistan was examining the operational arrangements for deploying forces under the pact.
He emphasised that the agreement was strictly defensive and that its implementation would be determined by operational commanders in light of regional security challenges and emerging threats.
Asked whether Pakistani troops were already stationed in Saudi Arabia under the trilateral defence framework, the ISPR chief said Pakistani military personnel had maintained a presence in the kingdom for decades.
He explained that the Makkah agreement was built on longstanding diplomatic, political, military and people-to-people relations among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
“Pakistani troops, in multiple capabilities and domains, are already there,” he said.
His remarks follow a decision by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye to accelerate the implementation of their collective defence commitments and facilitate the rapid deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia.
According to a joint statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the decision was reached during an emergency meeting of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement held in Riyadh on Monday.
The three countries said the deployment would proceed under approved arrangements and in accordance with their respective national laws. The measures are intended to strengthen military readiness, improve coordination and enhance their collective defence capabilities.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in August. Under its terms, an armed attack against any one of the participating countries is considered an attack against all three.
