RAWALPINDI: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said that protecting Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and, particularly, the holy sites of Haramain Sharifain is Pakistan’s top priority, stressing that there can be no compromise on their protection.

In an exclusive interview with Independent Arabia, the DG ISPR said Pakistan’s position was clear and unequivocal, adding that the country’s message had already been conveyed through its political leadership and the Field Marshal.

He said the Pakistani public, political leadership and military leadership were deeply angered by attacks on holy sites in Saudi Arabia.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said escalating conflicts at any level would benefit no country. Expanding the military conflict in the Middle East was not in anyone’s interest, making it essential to reach a settlement through negotiations.

He added that if negotiations failed and military confrontation ensued, the collective deterrence of the Makkah Alliance would undoubtedly come into effect.

The DG ISPR said the alliance’s leadership and course of action were clear, emphasising that it had no aggressive intentions.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye believed in promoting peace, stability and prosperity across the region and for their respective populations, he said.

He stressed that Muslims needed to unite rather than fight among themselves, reiterating that escalating disputes would benefit no one.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the alliance was not directed against any particular country. Its fundamental objective was to promote peace, stability and security across the region.