Deputy prime minister and Foreign Minister says there should be no transit charges for ships crossing Hormuz as he discusses the Makkah defence pact and possible new members.
WEB DESK: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Friday that there should be no fee or charges for ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz, as Pakistan continues diplomatic efforts linked to the regional crisis.
Dar made the remarks during a news conference in Islamabad while discussing Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Dar Calls for Fee-Free Passage Through Hormuz
Dar said there should not be any fee or charge for crossing the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
The comments come as the strait remains a major focus of international diplomatic efforts surrounding the US-Iran conflict and disruptions to regional shipping.
Earlier in June, Dar had also backed a temporary toll-free arrangement for the waterway. At the time, Pakistan’s foreign minister said ships should not face transit or service fees during a 60-day period.
The latest remarks represent Dar’s stated position on charges for passage and do not by themselves establish a new international arrangement governing fees in the strait.
More Than Six Countries Interested in Makkah Pact
Dar also said more than six countries are interested in joining the Makkah defence pact, although he did not identify the countries.
Reuters reported that Dar said new membership requests cannot be considered until the agreement is fully operational, a process he estimated could take up to a year.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in August.
The agreement provides that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be considered an attack against all three, consistent with their stated rights of individual and collective self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Pact Currently Has Three Members
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has previously said the agreement is currently limited to its three founding members: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
The Foreign Office said in September that expansion was not then on the immediate agenda because the three countries first needed to consolidate the alliance’s institutional structure. It said the pact could subsequently be open to countries sharing similar security perceptions and requirements.
The three countries established a Strategic Political and Defence Committee under the agreement, with further institutional arrangements being developed.
The Foreign Office has described the pact as defensive in nature and said it is not directed against any particular country.
Committee Meeting Planned in Riyadh
Dar separately said the Strategic Political Defence Committee would meet in Riyadh soon.
The committee was established to coordinate political and defence matters among the three members. A meeting in Riyadh would provide an opportunity for the countries to discuss the implementation of the agreement and regional security developments.
Reuters reported that the three member states are also expected to discuss Iran’s suggestion of engaging Yemen’s Houthis through political channels following attacks by the group. Dar said the proposal would be considered as an alternative to military action.
Pakistan’s Diplomatic Role
Pakistan has continued to position itself as a diplomatic interlocutor amid tensions involving Iran, the United States, Saudi Arabia and other regional actors.
Islamabad has maintained contacts with regional governments while also participating in the implementation of the Makkah defence agreement with Riyadh and Ankara.
The agreement’s current institutional structure remains under development, while Dar’s latest comments indicate that Pakistan expects discussions on possible expansion to continue after the pact becomes operational.
