ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye will hold the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (Makkah Accord) in Istanbul on Monday.
On August 7, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression and stipulates that an armed attack against any of the three countries would be regarded as an attack on all.
Pakistan will be represented at the meeting by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Foreign Office said in a statement issued on Sunday.
The meeting will also be attended by the respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Ministers of Defence, as well as Chiefs of General Staff of Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, the Foreign Office added.
“Pakistan’s participation in the meeting signifies Pakistan’s historic bonds of friendship with the brotherly countries of Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, as well as its desire for lasting regional peace and stability,” the Foreign Office stated.
🔊PR No.2️⃣2️⃣9️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Curtain Raiser: Inaugural Meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee under the Makkah Agreement
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 30, 2026
Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Turkiye on Sunday ahead of the “Strategic Political and Defence Committee” established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
Pakistan military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a statement issued on Sunday, said Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived “in Turkiye on an official visit”.
Also Read: Field Marshal Munir Arrives in Turkiye Ahead of First Meeting Under Makkah Defence Agreement
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office earlier in the day said Deputy PM Dar reached Istanbul after concluding his visit to the United Kingdom.
The Turkish foreign ministry confirmed that the first meeting of the “Strategic Political and Defence Committee” established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye will be held in Istanbul on August 31 (Monday).
Turkiye said its Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yasar Guler and Chief of Turkish General Staff Gen Selcuk Bayraktaroglu will participate in the meeting.
Regarding the First Meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee Established Under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement https://t.co/hcw1am45MO pic.twitter.com/ZNqhcvOeut
— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) August 30, 2026
Meanwhile, Deputy PM Dar held a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Istanbul on Sunday.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the continued strengthening and expansion of bilateral relations in the political, economic, security and cultural domains, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said.
Welcoming the progress achieved under the framework of the Pakistan–Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), the two Foreign Ministers agreed on the early convening of the next HLSCC Session.
The two sides also exchanged views on issues of regional and international importance and reaffirmed their commitment to continue working closely for regional peace and stability.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a meeting with H.E. Hakan Fidan @HakanFidan , Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, in Istanbul today.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the continued strengthening and… pic.twitter.com/XYb3ZCGC8v
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 30, 2026
Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence, held at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah.
Also Read: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye Sign Landmark Makkah Joint Defence Agreement
The “Makkah Joint Defence Agreement” is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression and stipulates that an armed attack against any of the three would be regarded as an attack on all.
The significance of the pact can be gauged from the fact that several other countries have also expressed their willingness to join it.
Earlier this week, Bangladesh also expressed its willingness to join the pact, with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman telling parliament that the country would “positively” consider an invitation from the founding members of the Makkah pact to join the alliance.
