Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has stressed that reaching a negotiated outcome to the ongoing Middle East conflict is imperative, warning that the collective deterrence mechanism of the Makkah Alliance would come into play if diplomatic efforts fail and military confrontation escalates.
In an interview with an Arab television channel, the military spokesperson underscored Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, stability, and security, emphasising that further escalation of the conflict would serve no country’s interests. He called for dialogue and diplomatic engagement to prevent the crisis from widening and creating further instability across the region.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry described the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement as an important development in regional security cooperation, stating that the agreement had progressed significantly in a short period and reflected the shared strategic vision of its three participating countries: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye.
The DG ISPR reaffirmed that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, alongside the protection of the Haramain Sharifain, remain among Pakistan’s foremost priorities. He stated that Pakistan’s position on the security of the Kingdom and the sacred sites was unequivocal, stressing that there could be no compromise on their protection. He added that Pakistan’s political and military leadership, including the Field Marshal, had already conveyed the country’s clear position on the matter.
Lieutenant General Chaudhry further noted that attacks against sacred sites had generated deep concern and strong emotions among the public, as well as Pakistan’s political and military leadership. He emphasised the importance of preventing developments that could intensify tensions or broaden the scope of the ongoing conflict.
Explaining the significance of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, the DG ISPR said the arrangement had advanced considerably within a short timeframe and represented the collective thinking and strategic understanding of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye. He indicated that the alliance’s collective deterrence mechanism would become relevant if diplomatic efforts failed to produce a negotiated settlement and the situation progressed towards military confrontation.
The agreement, as described by the military spokesperson, is intended to support collective defence and regional security. Its leadership structure and strategic direction are clearly defined, and the alliance has no aggressive intentions. The emphasis on collective deterrence, he explained, must be understood in the context of preventing further escalation and safeguarding regional stability rather than pursuing confrontation.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry warned that expanding the military conflict in the Middle East would not serve the interests of any country involved. He stressed that a negotiated settlement was essential to resolving the crisis and preventing its consequences from spreading across the region. Continued escalation, he indicated, would increase the risks to regional security and undermine prospects for peace and stability.
The DG ISPR’s remarks placed diplomacy at the centre of efforts to address the conflict, highlighting the need for political engagement and a constructive approach to resolving outstanding differences. His comments also reinforced Pakistan’s stated preference for a peaceful outcome, with regional cooperation and dialogue serving as the principal means of preventing a wider confrontation.
The DG ISPR stated that Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye share a commitment to peace, stability, security, and prosperity across the region. He emphasised that the Makkah Alliance was not directed against any particular country. Rather, its stated purpose is to promote regional security, strengthen stability, and support an environment in which countries can pursue peace and development.
He further highlighted the importance of unity among Muslim countries, arguing that cooperation and solidarity were more constructive than internal divisions and confrontation. The three participating countries, he said, share an interest in preventing instability and ensuring that regional disputes do not develop into a wider military crisis.
Concluding his remarks, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry reiterated the importance of reaching a negotiated outcome to the Middle East conflict. He emphasised that the priority should remain the prevention of further escalation, the protection of regional stability, and the pursuit of a peaceful settlement. The Makkah Alliance’s collective deterrence framework, he indicated, would become relevant in the event that diplomatic efforts failed and military confrontation intensified.
The DG ISPR’s message underscored two parallel priorities: pursuing diplomacy to prevent a wider conflict while maintaining a collective defensive framework intended to protect the participating countries and support regional security.
Pakistan’s position, as articulated by the DG ISPR, is that dialogue and a negotiated settlement remain imperative, while the Makkah Alliance is intended to serve collective defence and deterrence without pursuing an aggressive or confrontational agenda.
