LAHORE, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 12th Aug, 2026) Press Information Department (PID) Lahore Director General Shafqat Abbas, senior journalists and defence analysts on Wednesday said the Makkah Joint Defence Pact among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye was an important development towards promoting regional peace, collective security, defence cooperation and stability.
They expressed these views during a panel discussion titled “Makkah Pact: Peace, Security and Stability”, organised by PID Lahore.
Speaking on the occasion, DG Shafqat Abbas said the pact was not aimed at confrontation with any country but sought to promote peace, stability, mutual trust and collective security in the region. He said diplomacy, dialogue and mutual cooperation should be given priority for resolving differences.
He said Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye possessed distinct capabilities and experiences and their closer cooperation could create an effective force for regional stability. Such cooperation could produce positive results not only in defence but also at economic, diplomatic and strategic levels, he added.
The PID DG emphasised that national strength in the modern era was not determined by defence capabilities alone but also by the economy, education, science and technology, human resources and diplomatic influence. Pakistan, he said, needed to utilise its young population, strategic geographical location and defence capabilities for national development.
He stressed the need to translate Pakistan’s defence achievements into economic growth by focusing on education, science and technology, skills development, research and exports. A strong defence coupled with a strong economy would enable Pakistan to play a more effective and dignified role at the global level, he added.
Senior journalist and analyst Mujeebur Rehman Shami said Pakistan had achieved significant successes in defence, diplomacy and foreign affairs over the past eight decades. He paid tribute to Pakistani diplomats for raising the country’s profile and prestige internationally despite limited resources.
He said Pakistan needed to improve its education system and focus on skills, science, technology and research. He noted that millions of children remained out of school and emphasised increasing investment in education.
Shami also called for increasing exports, improving productivity and strengthening the economy, saying that defence achievements should be translated into economic progress.
Senior journalist Salman Ghani said the Makkah Pact brought together the distinct strengths of the three countries, with Pakistan possessing nuclear capabilities, Saudi Arabia being a major economic power and Türkiye having a prominent position in defence industry, technology and military equipment.
He termed the pact an important development with potential positive impacts on economic cooperation, investment and stability. He said Saudi Arabia had stood by Pakistan during difficult times and could continue to play an important role in strengthening Pakistan’s economy.
Defence analyst Colonel (retd) Abid said Pakistani leadership had played an important role in the Makkah Pact, while military diplomacy had also contributed to the development. He said the significance of the pact could not be confined to defence alone as it had broader regional, strategic, economic and diplomatic implications.
Former Vice Chancellor Home Economics University Dr Faleha Afzal said the pact had further highlighted Pakistan’s role in promoting peace and stability. She expressed hope that more Muslim countries would join such cooperation in the future.
Columnist Malik Salman said the Makkah Pact would help promote mutual trust and collective security among Muslim countries. He stressed that Pakistan should focus on economic stability and national development alongside strengthening its defence capabilities.
Government College University Lahore urdu literature professor Dr Farzana Riaz said the pact could provide an opportunity for greater unity and cooperation among Muslim countries and help them work together to address common challenges.
Journalist Noorullah said the pact could play an important role in promoting peace, security and stability in the region. He stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy to translate Pakistan’s strong defence position into economic and diplomatic gains.
The speakers discussed the regional, defence, diplomatic, economic and social dimensions of the Makkah Pact and said growing cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye could contribute positively to regional peace and collective security.
They emphasised that Muslim countries should rise above differences and pursue common interests, peace, development and collective security through dialogue, cooperation and a coordinated strategy.
At the conclusion, Shafqat Abbas thanked the participants and said such intellectual and analytical discussions helped enhance public awareness about important national and international issues and promoted meaningful dialogue.
