Federal Cabinet Ratifies Defense Cooperation Pact With Kuwait

Pakistan's federal cabinet ratified a defense cooperation agreement with Kuwait on Wednesday, formalizing enhanced collaboration between the two nations.

The agreement was initially signed on June 11, 2023, and subsequently ratified by the Kuwaiti government on July 19, 2023. In August 2026, the two countries also signed Protocol Agreement-2026 to further expand military cooperation. The pact covers joint military manufacturing, electronic communications systems, scientific research, military media, and cultural activities, overseen by a joint military committee.

The agreement remains in force for five years with automatic renewal provisions. During the same cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government approved transferring the powers of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister to the provincial governor during the ongoing state of emergency, requiring a monthly review report to the federal government. Additionally, the cabinet approved new currency note designs recommended by the Ministry of Finance, incorporating advanced security features and durable materials to combat counterfeiting. The government also approved introducing a 10-rupee coin to replace the existing 10-rupee banknote, following a proposal by the State Bank of Pakistan.