{
  "id": 8133802,
  "title": "FO says Pakistan fully committed to defence pacts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/fo-says-pakistan-fully-committed-to-defence-pacts",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T00:15:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40440082/fo-says-pakistan-fully-committed-to-defence-pacts"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) with Saudi Arabia and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, foreign office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan stated during a weekly media briefing. While acknowledging that operational matters require discretion, Khan emphasized Pakistan's steadfast determination to protect the kingdom's sovereignty, territorial integrity and the security of the Haramain Sharifain. Pakistan's longstanding partnership with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, formalized by the Makkah Accord, has strengthened cooperation in security and defence. Khan condemned India's baseless assertions regarding the Pakistan-China Boundary Agreement of 1963 and the Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission, urging India to reflect on its unilateral decisions. He emphasized the serious situation in the Bab al-Mandab and called for peace through dialogue and diplomacy, rejecting coercive measures. Khan also responded to the bounty on Maulana Masood Azhar, asserting Pakistan's commitment to international law and its obligations as a sovereign state. He criticized India's attempts to tarnish Pakistan's reputation, accusing it of sponsoring terrorism globally. Khan further expressed disappointment over BCCI's decision to deny the Indian women's cricket team the honor of receiving their trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, emphasizing that sports should not be weaponized.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said it was fully committed, in letter and spirit, to implementing the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) with Saudi Arabia as well as the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. “However, when, how, where and what force will be used against which objectives, in which modes, and other matters involving operational confidentiality require us to maintain some discretion at this…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times",
        "title": "US giant powers Pakistan’s defence ambitions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/us-giant-powers-pakistans-defence-ambitions",
        "published": "2026-09-17T07:51:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Pakistan committed to Saudi defence agreement in ‘intent and spirit’: FO",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/pakistan-committed-to-saudi-defence-agreement-in-intent-and-spirit-fo",
        "published": "2026-09-17T08:37:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}