Pakistan's Weekly Diplomatic Briefing: Solidarity with Saudi Arabia and Regional Engagement

Pakistan's Foreign Office has outlined a busy week of diplomatic activity, with Foreign Office Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan highlighting engagements with several countries including Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia during his regular weekly briefing. The briefing covered a wide range of topics, from bilateral cooperation agreements to Pakistan's positions on various regional and international issues.

Weekly briefings like this serve as an important channel for communicating Pakistan's diplomatic activities and official positions on matters of national and international significance.

Strengthening Ties with Kyrgyzstan

According to the spokesperson, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Kyrgyzstan on September 2 reflected the continued development of bilateral relations between the two countries. During this visit, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed a total of 17 agreements and memorandums of understanding, covering cooperation across several important areas, including the CASA-1000 regional energy project.

The Foreign Office described these agreements as part of broader efforts to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between Islamabad and Bishkek, reflecting Pakistan's ongoing engagement with Central Asian partners.

Extensive Diplomatic Outreach by the Foreign Minister

The spokesperson detailed several telephone conversations held by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar throughout the week. On September 3, Dar spoke with the newly appointed Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Just a few days later, on September 6, he held separate conversations with the foreign ministers of both Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, with discussions specifically focusing on progress related to the Makkah Agreement.

Dar also held additional telephone conversations with the foreign ministers of Kuwait and Egypt, along with contact with Norway's foreign minister, covering a range of important regional and bilateral matters.

Strong Condemnation of Attacks on Saudi Arabia

A central point of the briefing involved Pakistan's response to recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. The spokesperson confirmed that Pakistan strongly condemned these attacks, expressing what was described as unconditional support for Saudi Arabia and solidarity with the Saudi leadership and people in the aftermath of the incident.

This statement reflects Pakistan's continued emphasis on close ties and security cooperation with Saudi Arabia, particularly amid the currently heightened tensions within the broader region.

Regional Solidarity on Palestine

The Foreign Office also noted that eight Arab and Islamic countries, including Pakistan, had jointly condemned Israeli actions in occupied Palestine. The spokesperson added that Pakistan and Türkiye support international measures aimed at addressing what they describe as illegal Israeli settlements, a topic that was also discussed during the Foreign Minister's conversation with his Turkish counterpart.

Clarifying the Status of the Makkah Agreement

Addressing questions about the Makkah Agreement, the Foreign Office clarified that this arrangement is defensive in nature, specifically designed to provide security through deterrence. According to the spokesperson, there is currently no active discussion about extending the agreement beyond its three founding countries: Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia.

He explained that these three nations are presently focused on strengthening their own cooperation and institutional mechanisms before any consideration is given to expanding the framework to include additional countries. Only after these foundational aspects are properly established would the possibility of broader participation be considered.

Addressing Afghan Student Policy

The Foreign Office also provided clarification regarding reports about the potential return of Afghan students from Pakistan. According to the spokesperson, the government has not made a decision to send back all Afghan students studying in the country.

He specifically explained that only Afghan students holding educational visas who are not properly registered with a university are being asked to return, while those with valid visas and proper university registration are not affected by this policy.

Pakistan's Position on Regional Security Concerns

The spokesperson addressed Pakistan's longstanding concerns regarding what it describes as external involvement in security challenges within certain regions of the country, referencing situations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan specifically. These statements reflect Pakistan's continued efforts to raise these concerns through diplomatic channels.

Addressing Claims About a Temple in Narowal

The Foreign Office addressed and rejected claims made regarding a Hindu temple in Narowal, explaining that the temple building had been damaged by heavy rainfall on July 21, after which authorities reviewed the site and began restoration efforts. The spokesperson characterized certain claims made about the incident as inaccurate.

Pakistan's Continued Position on Kashmir

The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan's longstanding position regarding Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the territory's status remains an unresolved matter on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council. He also expressed concern regarding the health of a Kashmiri political figure, noting that Pakistan intends to continue raising this issue, along with the broader situation in the region, at relevant international forums.

Pakistan to Host South Asian Games

On a more positive note, the Foreign Office confirmed that Pakistan is set to host the South Asian Games, with invitations already extended to participating countries through the Olympic Association. The spokesperson emphasized that sports should remain separate from political considerations, expressing hope that all countries in the region would choose to participate in this shared sporting event.

Support for International Cooperation Initiatives

The briefing also touched on Pakistan's willingness to collaborate with China on the Global Governance Initiative, with the spokesperson noting that a significant number of countries and international organizations have already expressed support for this broader cooperative framework. This reflects Pakistan's continued engagement with multilateral international cooperation efforts.

Why This Diplomatic Activity Matters

This week's diplomatic briefing highlights the breadth of Pakistan's international engagement, spanning bilateral relationships, regional security arrangements, and participation in broader multilateral discussions. Such consistent diplomatic activity reflects Pakistan's ongoing efforts to maintain and strengthen its relationships across multiple regions while also asserting its positions on various matters of national and international importance.

Looking Ahead

As regional dynamics continue to evolve, particularly regarding the situation involving Saudi Arabia and the broader security arrangements under discussion, Pakistan's diplomatic engagement is likely to remain active in the coming weeks. With ongoing consultations among Makkah Agreement partners and continued participation in various international forums, Pakistan's foreign policy activities will likely continue generating updates through similar regular briefings from the Foreign Office in the near future.