MAKKAH: Makkah Defence Pact marked a major milestone in regional security on Friday as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed a landmark joint defence agreement aimed at strengthening collective security, expanding military cooperation and reinforcing stability across the Middle East and beyond.

The agreement was signed during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence at Al-Safa Palace. According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the summit at the invitation of Saudi Arabia’s Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan before the high-level talks began.

Three Nations Commit to Collective Defence

According to the Foreign Office, the agreement builds on decades of close political, military and strategic cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.

Moreover, the pact establishes a framework for collective deterrence against external aggression. Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three signatory countries will be treated as an attack against all three, reinforcing their commitment to mutual defence.

The agreement also calls for broader cooperation in defence planning, military coordination, training, intelligence sharing and security collaboration.

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Leaders Discuss Regional Challenges

During the summit, the three leaders reviewed longstanding bilateral ties and discussed key regional and international developments.

Furthermore, officials said the agreement reflects the shared determination of the three countries to promote peace, strengthen regional security and enhance strategic cooperation amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.

The three nations have expressed increasing concern over instability in the Middle East, rising regional tensions and threats to international shipping routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

Strategic Alliance Gains Momentum

Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan each bring significant strategic capabilities to the partnership. Türkiye has NATO’s second-largest military, Saudi Arabia remains the Gulf’s largest economy and guardian of Islam’s holiest sites, while Pakistan is the world’s only nuclear-armed Muslim country.

Analysts believe the agreement will strengthen defence coordination while improving the three countries’ ability to respond collectively to emerging security challenges.

The pact follows months of diplomatic discussions aimed at expanding regional security cooperation. Meanwhile, Türkiye has continued to advocate for a broader regional security framework to encourage peace and long-term stability.

Defence Cooperation Continues to Expand

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained close military cooperation for decades through defence training, technical assistance and joint security initiatives.

In addition, Pakistan and Türkiye have strengthened defence ties through naval cooperation, military training programmes and defence industry partnerships. Saudi Arabia also signed a major agreement in 2023 to purchase Turkish drones, highlighting expanding defence collaboration between the two allies.

Officials believe the new Makkah Defence Pact will deepen these partnerships and create a stronger framework for military coordination, regional stability and collective security in the years ahead.