The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) news agency reported on Monday, October 26, that Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia agreed at the end of their four-way meeting in Tehran to issue a joint statement committing to continued talks for expanding regional cooperation, including in areas of “peace and security.”

As of publication time, the other three countries involved had not issued any separate statements about the meeting’s results.

Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said after the summit that the visit of senior officials from the three countries to Tehran showed that “American threats have little effect on the world’s nations.”

Stressing the need to boost regional cooperation, Rezaei said: “Regional cooperation should have started long ago.”

He also claimed that, due to the “resistance of the armed forces,” a new and positive atmosphere had formed in the region, and this was reflected in his talks with senior officials from Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.

Rezaei added: “We concluded that security in West Asia must come from within the region, and any outside interference must be stopped.”

Meanwhile, a senior Pakistani security official told Reuters that the summit’s main goal was to create a regional mechanism to prevent military confrontations between countries in the area.

According to that official, discussions between Tehran and Washington, Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia (backed by Iran), the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and the US blockade of Iranian ports were also covered during the meeting.

سابق چیف آف آرمی اسٹاف جنرل (ر) عبدالوحید کاکڑ راولپنڈی میں انتقال کر گئے۔

پاک فوج کے شعبۂ تعلقاتِ عامہ (آئی ایس پی آر) کے مطابق چیف آف آرمی اسٹاف و چیف آف ڈیفنس فورسز فیلڈ مارشل سید عاصم منیر اور پاک فوج کے تمام رینکس نے جنرل (ر) عبدالوحید کاکڑ کے انتقال پر گہرے دکھ اور افسوس کا اظہار کیا ہے۔

آئی ایس پی آر کے مطابق پاک فوج نے مرحوم کو نمایاں عسکری خدمات، قیادت اور پاکستان آرمی کے لیے قابلِ قدر خدمات پر خراجِ تحسین پیش کیا ہے۔

پاک فوج کے شعبۂ تعلقاتِ عامہ نے کہا ہے کہ پاک فوج سوگوار خاندان کے غم میں برابر کی شریک ہے اور اہلِ خانہ سے دلی تعزیت کرتی ہے، اللّٰہ تعالیٰ مرحوم کو جنت الفردوس میں اعلیٰ مقام عطاء فرمائے اور لواحقین کو صبر و استقامت دے۔

وزیراعظم شہباز شریف نے سابق آرمی چیف جنرل(ر) عبدالوحید کاکڑ کے انتقال پر دکھ کا اظہار کرتے ہوئے پاک فوج کے لیے ان کی گراں قدر خدمات پر خراجِ عقیدت پیش کیا ہے۔

صدر مملکت آصف زرداری نے سابق آرمی چیف جنرل (ر) عبدالوحید کاکڑ کے انتقال پر دکھ اور اہلِ خانہ سے دلی تعزیت اور ہمدردی کا اظہار کیا۔

صدر مملکت کا کہنا ہے کہ اللّٰہ تعالیٰ مرحوم جنرل (ر) عبدالوحید کاکڑ کو جوار رحمت میں جگہ عطا فرمائے، سوگوار خاندان کو صبرِ جمیل دے۔

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir met with Maldives President Dr. Mohamed Moeizu, during which they discussed matters of mutual interest and the current security situation in the region.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on this occasion, Pakistan and Maldives emphasized strengthening defense cooperation, institutional linkages, and professional exchanges. 

According to the ISPR, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reiterated his commitment to further strengthen the long-standing and cordial relations between Pakistan and the Maldives.

He said that Pakistan is committed to promoting peace, stability, and security in the region through constructive engagement. 

According to the ISPR, Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Moeizu praised the professional capabilities of Pakistan’s armed forces and acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.

Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has advocated for a negotiated resolution to the ongoing Middle East conflict, underscoring that diplomacy remains indispensable to averting further military escalation.

During an interview with an Arab television channel, the military spokesperson stated that should diplomatic avenues fail and military confrontation ensue, the collective deterrence mechanism of the Makkah Alliance would be activated.

Chaudhry hailed the Makkah joint defence agreement as a landmark achievement accomplished within a remarkably short span, emphasizing that it encapsulates the shared vision of the three participating nations.

He reiterated that safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the sacred sites of Makkah and Madinah remains a paramount priority for Pakistan. He affirmed that Pakistan’s stance on protecting these holy places is unambiguous and unwavering, adding that the country’s political leadership and field marshal had already communicated this position clearly.

The DG ISPR noted that attacks on holy sites have provoked profound indignation among the public as well as political and military leadership. He cautioned that any further escalation of tensions, at any level, would yield no benefits for any nation.

Highlighting the perils of a broader conflict, Chaudhry stressed that expanding the military confrontation in the Middle East serves no one’s interests. He reiterated that achieving a negotiated settlement is essential to prevent the situation from sliding into further deterioration.

He further emphasized that the Makkah Alliance’s leadership and strategic direction are sharply delineated, affirming that the alliance harbors no aggressive intentions whatsoever.

Chaudhry underscored that Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye share a unified commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. He clarified that the alliance is not aimed at any specific country but is designed to foster regional peace, security, and enduring stability.

According to the ISPR, Fateh II ER has the ability to change course and direction and target targets with extreme precision. According to the ISPR, Fateh II ER is capable of defeating enemy missile defense systems. The increase in the missile’s range will increase the operational reach of the Pakistan Army and its ability to hit distant targets

Foreign Office spokesperson Ambassador Sajjad Haider Khan announced on Friday that Pakistani military personnel deployed in Saudi Arabia as part of the Makkah Alliance will refrain from crossing into Yemeni territory to conduct offensive operations against Houthi militants.

During a press conference, he clarified that the alliance operates on a defensive basis and is designed to safeguard the three member nations against external threats. He emphasized that the deployed forces would serve to protect national territory and preserve territorial integrity.

Pakistan stands prepared to facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran should the need arise, according to Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider.

Haider noted that negotiations encompassing seven key issues remain in progress, with the United States having communicated its perspective on the proposed measures.

The Foreign Office representative addressed matters of regional diplomacy, Pakistan’s security obligations toward Saudi Arabia, reciprocal accusations involving the Afghan Taliban, curbs on Pakistani digital media in India, global sanctions regimes, and initiatives aimed at achieving stability in Gaza.

Haider reported that ongoing consultations between Washington and Tehran regarding the seven-point agenda continue, with the American administration having conveyed its position on the initiatives.

He noted that bilateral engagement between the two nations has been facilitated through Pakistan’s intermediary role. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been established, he stated, with several matters currently under negotiation corresponding to its provisions.

Speaker of the People’s Majlis of the Maldives Abdul Raheem Abdullah visited General Headquarters (GHQ), where he met Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

During the meeting, the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security and bilateral cooperation, ISPR said.

Field Marshal Asim Munir reaffirmed the importance Pakistan attaches to its fraternal ties with the Maldives and expressed a commitment to further strengthening relations based on mutual interests, according to the military’s media wing.

Abdul Raheem Abdullah appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.

The meeting also underscored the desire of both sides to further strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest, ISPR said.

The Foreign Office announced that Lieutenant General (retd) Nauman Mahmood has been designated as the inaugural Secretary General of the alliance formed through the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

Pursuant to a statement released by the Foreign Office spokesperson, Mahmood will direct the General Secretariat of the alliance, which is being established in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Foreign Office indicated that the General Secretariat, established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, will function as the alliance’s primary administrative entity and will be overseen by the secretary general.

Mahmood’s appointment represents the establishment of the alliance’s principal administrative leadership and will entail managing the operations of its general secretariat from Riyadh.

This development comes subsequent to the recent execution of the Makkah Defence Agreement by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye.The agreement establishes a framework for defence collaboration among the three nations.

In his capacity as the alliance’s first Secretary General, Mahmood will be tasked with directing its secretariat and facilitating the execution of its institutional objectives.

The security forces eliminated eight militants during an operation in Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while six soldiers were martyred in the exchange of fire, according to the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

In a statement, ISPR said an exchange of fire took place between a security forces’ convoy and militants in Hangu.

It said security personnel carried out an effective response, killing eight militants affiliated with “Fitna al-Khawarij” and operating with Indian support.

ISPR said two officers and four soldiers who were leading their troops from the front were martyred during the intense firefight.

The military identified the officers as 23-year-old Captain Abu Zar Farooq, a resident of Gujranwala district, and 22-year-old Lieutenant Shiraz Babar, a resident of Chakwal district.

According to ISPR, both officers, along with four soldiers, fought bravely and sacrificed their lives in defence of the country.

A clearance operation is continuing in the area to eliminate any other militants who may still be present, ISPR said.

The military said security forces and law-enforcement agencies would continue counterterrorism operations under the government’s “Azm-e-Istehkam” initiative to eliminate what it described as externally supported terrorism.

ISPR said the sacrifices of the officers and soldiers had strengthened the country’s resolve to protect its territory and people.

DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry says that there is only one concrete demand from the Afghan Taliban regime: to stop terrorism from Afghan soil in Pakistan. Every formation coming from Afghanistan to Pakistan contains Afghan citizens, and 80 percent of suicide bombers are Afghans.

DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, in an interview with Arab media, said that Pakistan is there to practically help Saudi Arabia, we also stand with it diplomatically. 

He said that Pakistan is ready to go to any extent to protect the Two Holy Mosques and Saudi Arabia. Our commitment to the security of Saudi Arabia is unconditional, this commitment is linked to an emotional, long-standing, historical and unbreakable relationship.

DG ISPR said that no one should have any doubts that the Pakistani people stand by Saudi Arabia. We are ready to defend any aggression against Saudi Arabia, there is a Mecca Mutual Defense Agreement and a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement. 

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that promises and commitments under these agreements are being fulfilled, and Pakistan’s political and military leadership is in constant contact with the Saudi leadership. 

He said that the Islamabad MoU was reached after Pakistan’s continuous, tireless and very sincere diplomacy. There is only one concrete demand from the Afghan Taliban regime: to stop terrorism from Afghan soil into Pakistan.

The DG ISPR said that every formation coming from Afghanistan to Pakistan has Afghan citizens, and about 80 percent of the suicide bombers are Afghans. If the Afghan Taliban regime does not implement the promises made under the Doha agreement, Pakistan has the full right to defend itself.

He said that terrorists in Balochistan do not have public support, terrorists are trying to impose their ideology through gunpoint. Terrorism is being sponsored by India and social media is being run from outside.

The DG ISPR further said that the state’s policy is very clear: there will be no talks with terrorists