ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye had brought the three countries closer together and sent a message of peace and unity across the region. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Shehbaz made the remarks during a meeting with Saudi Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad. Welcoming the Saudi minister, the prime minister reaffirmed the deep-rooted, fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and conveyed his warmest regards for Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Shehbaz said the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan had “brought the three countries even closer together” and sent “a message of unity and peace throughout the region”, the PMO said.