Pakistan, Aug. 27 -- Bangladesh says it will positively consider joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement if founding members invite the country. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman shared the position in parliament on Thursday. He said Bangladesh would carefully assess the agreement before making any decision. He also stressed that Dhaka would consider the potential benefits for the country and its people.

Rahman described the Makkah Pact as a Muslim world self-defence mechanism. He said Bangladesh viewed the agreement as an internal matter among Muslim countries. Therefore, he argued that other countries should not be concerned about Bangladesh considering membership. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jamaat-i-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman said join...