Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye Sign Landmark Makkah Joint Defence Agreement

The trilateral pact commits the three countries to collective defence and deeper military cooperation, with any attack on one member to be treated as an attack on all.

August 7, 2026 at 3:42 PM
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MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye on Friday signed a landmark trilateral defence agreement aimed at strengthening collective security and expanding military cooperation amid growing regional instability.

According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence held at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah.

“The Agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and stipulates that any armed attack against any one of the three States shall be regarded as an attack against them all. It further provides for the enhancement of all aspects of defence cooperation among the three States,” the Pakistan foreign ministry said.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman hosted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the summit, where the three leaders reviewed bilateral and trilateral relations and discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar shared a photograph on X following the signing of the agreement, writing: “Alhamdulillah — Historic Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed. Signed within the vicinity of the Holy Kaaba.”

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Collective Defence Commitment

According to a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against external aggression and deepen defence cooperation among the three countries.

Under the pact, any armed attack against one of the three states will be regarded as an attack against all, committing Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye to collective defence.

The agreement also provides for enhanced cooperation across all areas of defence, including military coordination, strategic planning, security collaboration and joint defence capabilities.

Shared Strategic Vision

The three leaders said the agreement builds on longstanding historical ties, decades of defence cooperation and their shared strategic interests.

The statement said the pact reflected the three countries’ commitment to strengthening collective security while promoting peace, stability and prosperity across the region and beyond.

It described the initiative as being rooted in the enduring bonds of brotherhood and solidarity among the three nations.

Landmark  accord

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in a statement on X this landmark  Makkah Accord marks an important step in advancing strategic cooperation and further strengthening the enduring bonds of brotherhood among our nations.

“Honoured to participate in the signing ceremony of the “Trilateral Makkah Joint Defence Agreement” between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, in Makkah Mukaramma,” he said.

High-Level Summit

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the summit during his official visit to Saudi Arabia from August 6 to 8.

He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also travelled to Makkah for the one-day summit at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement marks the first formal trilateral defence framework between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye and is expected to significantly deepen military and strategic cooperation among the three countries.

 

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