ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday said that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement remains open to countries willing to uphold its core principles and resolve differences through mutual respect, cooperation and peaceful means.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed a joint defence pact on Friday, establishing a collective security framework under which an armed attack against any one member is considered an attack against all three.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the pact during the “Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence”.
In the light of ongoing discussion and interest surrounding the “Makkah Joint Defence Agreement” (The Makkah Accord) over the past two days, the following context and clarity on this Agreement may be useful for everyone to note:
• The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, jointly…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) August 9, 2026
Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif were also present at the signing ceremony.
“The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, jointly signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye in Makkah Mukaramma on Friday 7th August 2026, reflects the depth of the brotherly relations between the leadership and peoples of the three countries,” Ishaq Dar said in a post on X.
He added the Accord is the culmination of years of discussions and coordination, with a common desire to strengthen strategic cooperation in addressing multifarious peace and security challenges and advancing regional peace, stability and prosperity.
Makkah Accord does not abrogate or replace any existing agreements
“The Makkah Accord does not abrogate or replace any existing bilateral or multilateral agreements between these countries, or with other countries or organisations,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
Any external armed attack on any one of the three countries will be considered as an attack on all, consistent with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence.
At the gracious invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the President of the Republic of Türkiye, H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of… pic.twitter.com/tYwKZq2EKK
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) August 7, 2026
Makkah Accord purely defensive
He emphasised that the Makkah Accord is purely defensive in nature and does not target any other country, and its sole purpose is to further strengthen ongoing efforts towards peace, stability and prosperity in the wider region.
The foreign minister noted the Makkah Accord is consistent with the fundamental pillars of our foreign policy, and Pakistan looks forward to continuing to work closely with all brotherly countries in the region towards lasting peace and stability.
“We remain committed to advancing the cause of peaceful resolution of all conflicts and building a more secure, stable and prosperous future for our peoples,” he said.
Honoured to participate in the signing ceremony of the “Trilateral Makkah Joint Defence Agreement” between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, in Makkah Mukaramma.
This landmark Makkah Accord today marks an important step in advancing strategic cooperation and further… pic.twitter.com/BxgyOS6ECW
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) August 7, 2026
Shared commitment
In a statement, the Foreign Office said the pact reflects the three countries’ shared commitment to strengthening collective security and promoting peace, security and stability in the region and beyond.
“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 added.
Also Read: Muslim Countries Welcome Makkah Joint Defence Agreement
The agreement also provides for the enhancement of all aspects of defence cooperation among the three countries, the FO statement added.
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Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 7, 2026
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Saturday the provision was technically similar to NATO’s Article 5 collective-defence clause and that the agreement did not identify any particular country as a common threat.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had already signed the “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” in Riyadh last September, pledging that any attack on either nation would be treated as an act of aggression against both.
