Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has met General (retd) Nauman Mahmood, the first secretary general of the Makkah Defence Alliance, to discuss regional security, defence cooperation and Pakistan’s strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia. The meeting highlighted Islamabad’s stated commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security, alongside broader efforts to promote regional peace and stability.
During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Nauman Mahmood on his appointment as the alliance’s first secretary general. The prime minister also described the Makkah Peace Agreement as a historic milestone for promoting peace and stability in the region, according to the reported account of the meeting.
Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and its right to defend itself. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have longstanding diplomatic, economic and defence ties, with security cooperation remaining an important component of their bilateral relationship.
The discussions also focused on ways to expand defence and strategic cooperation. The prime minister received a briefing on measures intended to improve coordination and advance the alliance’s objectives. However, the reported account did not provide specific details about proposed operational arrangements or new defence commitments.
The appointment of Nauman Mahmood as the Makkah Defence Alliance’s first secretary general represents a step towards establishing its institutional framework. The alliance is expected to provide a platform for participating countries to strengthen regional security coordination and discuss shared defence concerns through closer strategic engagement.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have continued to emphasise mutual support and cooperation on regional and international issues. The latest meeting reflects Islamabad’s stated intention to maintain its strategic relationship with Riyadh and support initiatives aimed at regional stability. Further information about the alliance’s membership, operational structure and future activities was not included in the reported account.
Shehbaz Sharif Meets Makkah Defence Alliance’s First Secretary General Nauman Mahmood
