Bangladesh’s participation in Makkah Pact could strengthen regional security: Masood Khan
Islamabad: Former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan has said that Bangladesh’s potential participation in the Makkah Pact could strengthen regional security and provide greater strategic space to countries seeking to protect their sovereignty.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in an interview, Sardar Masood Khan described the emerging defence arrangement as an “open and defensive mechanism” not directed against any particular state, and aimed at strengthening collective deterrence. He said Pakistan and Bangladesh shared historical, cultural and regional bonds and both had an interest in peace, stability and preventing the emergence of regional hegemony. He added that Bangladesh, Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia shared common interests on protecting Muslim communities, opposing Islamophobia and supporting Palestinian rights.
Masood Khan noted that Bangladesh was seeking greater strategic autonomy and needed mechanisms to protect its borders and economic independence. He said its relationship with India would likely remain “pragmatic and calculated.”He further said India should not interpret Bangladesh’s possible engagement with the Makkah Pact as an act of hostility, as the purpose was to enable participating countries to develop security partnerships while maintaining relations with neighbours.
He also observed that Iran could potentially join the framework in the future if regional tensions, particularly with Gulf states, were reduced.
