ISPR DG confirms Pakistani troops stationed in Saudi Arabia for decades

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'Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye share longstanding diplomatic, political and military ties'

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Wednesday that the Pakistan Armed Forces already have troops stationed in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking to CNN, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistani military personnel had been in Saudi Arabia for decades under the Makkah agreement. He said Pakistani troops in Saudi Arabia served in different military domains and had multiple capabilities.

The ISPR DG said the Makkah alliance was not a new development or something that had emerged in a vacuum.

He said Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye had longstanding diplomatic, political and military ties, along with strong people-to-people relations.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistani forces had therefore maintained a presence in Saudi Arabia for several decades.

It is pertinent to note that Pakistan’s Lieutenant General (retired) Nauman Mahmood had been appointed the first secretary general of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA) for a three-year term, according to a joint communiqué issued after an emergency meeting in Riyadh on October 5.

The emergency meeting of the Strategic, Political and Defence Committee of the MJDA between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye decided to begin immediate practical measures under the commitment to collective defence.

The committee also approved the necessary measures for the provision of designated military forces and defence capabilities.

The communiqué said the three sides welcomed the appointment of Lieutenant General (retired) Noman Mahmood, expressed their good wishes to him and voiced confidence in his role in advancing the alliance and achieving its objectives.

The joint statement strongly condemned attempts to target Makkah and Madinah, as well as continuing attacks on Saudi cities, civilians and economic installations.

Pakistan and Türkiye praised the vigilance and readiness of the Saudi armed forces. They also commended the professional capability and high level of preparedness of the Saudi forces in dealing with threats and attacks against the Kingdom and in protecting its security and territorial integrity.

The committee decided to begin immediate practical measures under the collective defence commitments and approved the necessary steps to provide the designated military forces and defence capabilities.

The communiqué said the rapid deployment of these forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia would be ensured in accordance with approved arrangements and the national laws of the three countries.

It said putting the MJDA on joint defence into practical effect would demonstrate the credibility of the collective defence commitment, strengthen the effectiveness of deterrence, and renew the three countries’ unity and resolve to protect their self-defence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Three nations agree to immediately implement collective defence commitments

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