Istanbul: The inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is being held in Istanbul today, bringing together senior officials from Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan will be represented at the meeting by Foreign Minister (FM) Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

The committee was established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement as a framework for political and security engagement among Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. The Istanbul gathering is its first formal meeting and will bring together senior officials responsible for foreign affairs, defence and military matters from the three countries.

The meeting will also be attended by the respective foreign and defence ministers, as well as the chiefs of general staff, of Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan's participation reflects its longstanding ties with Türkiye and Saudi Arabia and its stated interest in promoting regional peace and stability. The presence of senior political, defence and military leadership from the three countries will provide a forum for discussions on political and defence matters under the committee's framework.

The Pakistani delegation brings together the country's senior political, defence and military leadership who described their participation as reflecting the country's historic bonds of friendship with Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, as well as a desire for lasting regional peace and stability.