Mecca alliance is ‘defensive’; no plan for expansion: Pak

ISLAMABAD, Sept 10: The Mecca agreement �" signed between Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia last month �" is a “defensive alliance” and there are no plans to expand it at the moment, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson says.

The statement came at a weekly briefing on how Pakistan plans to fulfill its obligations under the accord, after Saudi Arabia was attacked by the Houthis.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has spoken over the phone with Turkish Foreign Minister HakanFidan on bilateral relations and regional developments.

In a statement posted on X, the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that both sides affirmed their position on Palestine and their support for the joint statement by the eight Arab-Islamic countries on the UK’s decision to ban illegal Israeli settlement imports.

Both countries also “emphasised the importance of maintaining close consultation on regional matters” including the Regional Four (R4) framework they’ve agreed upon with Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Amnesty International’s senior director for research, advocacy, policy, and campaigns, Erika Guevara Rosas, has expressed profound concern regarding the treatment of DrHussam Abu Safia in Israeli custody.�" AL JAZEERA