Pakistan, Turkiye back diplomacy over regional challenges

MG News August 18, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and Turkiye have reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation on matters of mutual interest, agreeing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the way forward to address regional challenges and promote peace and stability. The commitment was reaffirmed during a telephonic conversation between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Foreign Minister of Turkiye Hakan Fidan, during which the two sides discussed recent regional developments, said a press release issued. The telephonic contact comes against the backdrop of deepening strategic ties between the two countries, particularly in the realm of defence and regional security cooperation. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye had recently signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, establishing a trilateral security framework aimed at strengthening collective defence and regional stability. The agreement came as the three Sunni Muslim allies of the United States responded to escalating regional tensions that have seen Gulf oil-exporting states targeted by missile attacks and disruptions to energy shipments. According to a joint statement issued at the time, the pact was designed to reinforce collective deterrence against external aggression, stating that any armed attack on one of the three countries would be treated as an attack on all members of the agreement.