“Prime Minister says trilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye is purely defensive; Cabinet approves National Housing Policy 2026, Pakistan Information Security Framework and key economic decisions”

ISLAMABAD, Monday, August 10, 2026 (WNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye was aimed exclusively at strengthening defence cooperation, regional peace, security and prosperity, stressing that it was not directed against any country.

Addressing a meeting of the Federal Cabinet, the Prime Minister said the landmark agreement was signed in Makkah on Friday by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and himself.

He said Pakistan had maintained decades-old cooperation with Saudi Arabia, including its longstanding commitment to the protection of the Haramain Sharifain, adding that a formal agreement in this regard had also been reached last year.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said the trilateral defence agreement represented a continuation of the existing cooperation between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye and would contribute to peace, security and prosperity in the region.

He reiterated that the protection of the Haramain Sharifain remained an important responsibility for the people and armed forces of Pakistan.

“The trilateral defence agreement is in no way an act of aggression against anyone,” the Prime Minister said, emphasizing that it was exclusively defensive in nature and intended to promote regional peace, development and prosperity.

He described the agreement as a source of strength for the Muslim Ummah and appreciated the efforts of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in helping bring the initiative to fruition.

The Prime Minister said the agreement was the outcome of years of sustained efforts.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also reiterated the national resolve to completely eliminate terrorism from Pakistan, saying security forces and police personnel had rendered immense sacrifices in the fight against militants.

He noted that terrorist incidents had occurred in Hangu, Swat and other areas, resulting in the martyrdom of officers and personnel of the police and armed forces.

Paying tribute to Major Hafiz Ehsan Elahi, Captain Hamza Akram, DSP Diyar Khan and all other martyrs, the Prime Minister said the sacrifices of the country’s brave servicemen would never go in vain.

He expressed confidence that Pakistan would once again eliminate the menace of terrorism from its soil.

The Prime Minister expressed deep sorrow over the death of Iqbal Chan, a longtime associate of former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

He paid tribute to the deceased’s political services, saying Iqbal Chan had stood firmly by the PML-N during difficult times and remained steadfast in his commitment to the party.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif informed the Cabinet that the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir had expressed confidence in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, with the party securing a clear victory in the first two phases of the elections.

He said the results reflected confidence in the leadership of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and expressed the hope that the PML-N in Azad Kashmir would once again embark on a journey of development and prosperity.

The Prime Minister thanked the people of Azad Kashmir for their confidence.

He stressed that lawlessness could not be permitted in any civilized society and that disputes should be resolved through dialogue.

He said certain elements had deliberately attempted to destabilize the situation in Azad Kashmir, adding that there was clear evidence that some of them were acting at the behest of foreign forces.

Referring to an All Parties Conference held in Muzaffarabad before the elections, the Prime Minister said representatives of all but one political party had participated and all aspects of the matter had been discussed.

He said it had been proposed that the issue concerning seats reserved for refugees should be taken before the newly elected assembly after the elections and that any decision taken by a majority in accordance with the Constitution and law would be accepted.

The Prime Minister said although the matters had been settled, unnecessary insistence had complicated the situation.

He said the process of negotiations would move forward after the formation of the new government.

“Those determined only to create disorder will not be allowed to spread anarchy and unrest,” he said, adding that the new government would provide an opportunity for those willing to engage in dialogue with peace, patience and tolerance.

The Federal Cabinet approved the National Housing Policy 2026 along with an action plan for its implementation.

The Cabinet was informed that the policy had been prepared by a working group comprising national and international experts, following consultations with federal ministries, provincial governments and development partners.

The policy seeks to ensure sustainable, safe and quality housing for all citizens.

The Cabinet directed that full compliance with zoning regulations be ensured in housing projects and that vertical housing be prioritized for efficient utilization of land.

It also directed that energy-efficiency codes be made an integral part of the National Housing Policy to ensure that new construction conforms to energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable standards.

The Cabinet was also briefed on progress under the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme. It was informed that various banks had approved loans amounting to Rs220 billion for applicants seeking housing, while more than Rs32 billion had already been disbursed to successful applicants.

The Cabinet approved the Pakistan Information Security Framework 2026 (PISF 2026) presented by the Ministry of Information Technology.

The Cabinet was informed that the framework had been developed under the CERT Rules 2023 and seeks to establish a comprehensive and unified system of basic information-security standards while ensuring centralized oversight.

The Cabinet described PISF 2026 as an important guiding document for strengthening the country’s cybersecurity and directed that it be implemented effectively within the prescribed timeframe.

The Cabinet approved withdrawal of the notice for termination of the 1981 Bilateral Investment Treaty between Pakistan and Sweden, on a summary submitted by the Board of Investment.

It also ratified decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) at its July 28 meeting, including proposed amendments to the Pakistan Oil Refining Policy 2023 aimed at upgrading oil refineries to better meet the country’s energy requirements.

The Cabinet further ratified decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) at its meetings held on July 27 and August 4.

Decisions of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases (CCLC) taken at its July 24 meeting were also ratified.

At the outset of the meeting, the Federal Cabinet unanimously adopted a resolution commending Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their “prudent and visionary leadership,” efforts to enhance Pakistan’s international standing and effective defence of the country’s national interests.

The Cabinet members also described the signing of the historic Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Türkiye Joint Defence Agreement as a major diplomatic and defence development and termed it an important step towards further strengthening unity and solidarity among the Muslim Ummah.

On the Prime Minister’s directive, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf led prayers for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty and for the departed soul of Iqbal Chan.

The Prime Minister also expressed the government’s resolve to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14 with traditional enthusiasm and dignity in coordination with the provinces.

He said the government was committed to putting Pakistan firmly on the path of development, peace and prosperity and to transforming it into the Pakistan envisioned by the Quaid, while ensuring that the country earned a dignified place in the comity of nations through honesty, integrity and dedicated national service.