Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulates Gen. (retd.) Nauman Mahmood on his appointment as the Makkah Defence Alliance’s first secretary general and reaffirms Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s security.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and defence during a meeting with Gen. (retd.) Nauman Mahmood, the first secretary general of the Makkah Defence Alliance, as the two sides discussed closer defence cooperation and regional security.

During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Mahmood on assuming his new position and described the Makkah Peace Agreement as a historic milestone in promoting regional peace and stability.

The prime minister said Pakistan stood firmly alongside Saudi Arabia in safeguarding its sovereignty and security. He also reaffirmed Islamabad’s support for the kingdom’s legitimate right to defend itself.

The discussions focused on ways to expand defence and strategic cooperation, including measures to improve coordination and advance the alliance’s objectives. Mahmood briefed the prime minister on steps being taken to strengthen cooperation, according to the reported account of the meeting.

Mahmood’s appointment as the alliance’s first secretary general marks a step toward establishing its institutional framework and developing mechanisms for closer coordination among participating countries.

The Makkah Defence Alliance is expected to provide a platform for regional security coordination and cooperation on shared defence concerns. However, details about its operational structure, specific defence commitments and planned activities were not provided in the account of the meeting.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have longstanding defence, economic and diplomatic ties. Security cooperation remains an important element of their bilateral relationship, with both countries emphasising mutual support, regional stability and coordination on issues affecting the wider Muslim world.

The meeting highlighted Islamabad’s continued commitment to its strategic partnership with Riyadh and its support for initiatives aimed at strengthening regional security through cooperation among participating countries.

The appointment of the alliance’s first secretary general also represents an organisational development as the initiative moves toward establishing the arrangements needed to coordinate its activities.