The Federal Cabinet has ratified the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

The Cabinet, which met in Islamabad today with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair, also paid tribute to the leaderships of both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Besides, the cabinet approved donating fifteen non-operational aircraft of the Department of Plant Protection to various institutions for educational, commemorative, and exhibition purposes. The remaining four operational aircraft will continue to be used by the Department of Plant Protection for anti-locust operations. It is worth noting that previous attempts to auction these aircraft had not been successful, following which this decision was taken.

The meeting also granted in-principle approval for legislation to establish a special security force for the protection of major dams and hydropower projects under WAPDA.