By Khawaja Hamza

Islamabad- Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will visit Riyadh on October 5, 2026, to participate in a meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee (SPDC), established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

The meeting will bring together the foreign ministers, defence ministers and chiefs of general staff of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. The participants are expected to discuss the latest developments in the region and review ongoing cooperation under the framework of the Makkah Agreement.

Pakistan’s participation underscores its commitment to contributing to regional peace, security and stability and to strengthening coordination with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye on strategic and defence matters.

Before proceeding to Riyadh, Senator Ishaq Dar arrived in Madinah Munawwarah, where he was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan’s Consul General in Jeddah, the Director General of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Madinah Branch and representatives of the Saudi Royal Protocol.

During his stay in Madinah, Dar paid respects at Roza-e-Rasool and offered prayers for the peace and prosperity of Pakistan, the well-being of the Pakistani people and the Muslim Ummah, as well as for regional peace and stability. He also visited Jabal Uhud, paid homage to the Shuhada-e-Uhud and offered prayers.

Following his visit to Madinah, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister proceeded to Riyadh to attend the SPDC meeting. He will participate alongside Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, together with their counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.

The Riyadh meeting is expected to provide an important platform for the three countries to assess the evolving regional security environment and strengthen cooperation under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.