ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye aims to promote regional peace, development, and prosperity.
Prime Minister Sharif was addressing a ceremony held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad to mark National Minorities Day.
The Prime Minister made it clear that this agreement is not against any country, but rather for the promotion of peace.
“Just as there is currently an extremely tense situation in the Gulf, it is hoped that we all together will end this situation and establish lasting peace in the region,” said the premier.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed a joint defence pact on August 7, 2026, establishing a collective security framework under which an armed attack against any one member is considered an attack against all three.
“پاکستان نے مکہ مکرمہ میں سعودی عرب اور ترکیہ کے ساتھ ایک دفاعی معاہدہ کیا ہے۔ یہ معاہدہ کسی ملک کے خلاف نہیں، بلکہ امن، ترقی اور خوشحالی کے فروغ کے لیے ہے۔ جس طرح خلیج میں اس وقت ایک انتہائی ہیجانی کیفیت موجود ہے، امید کی جانی چاہیے کہ ہم سب مل کر، ان شاء اللہ، اس کیفیت کا خاتمہ… pic.twitter.com/gmOXhH8EYs
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 11, 2026
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”.
Shehbaz Sharif went on to say Islam, the Holy Quran, and the exemplary conduct of the Holy Prophet also teach us the same lesson: to promote peace, brotherhood, mutual cooperation, and the welfare of humanity.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif presenting awards to the members of Religious Minorities of Pakistan who contributed towards the sustained benefits of the society. Islamabad, 11 August 2026. pic.twitter.com/LNvByA5JdF
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) August 11, 2026
He called for building on the spirit of peace and harmony exemplified by Pakistan’s minority communities for continued growth and development as a nation.
The Prime Minister emphasised enhanced focus on modern education and skill development. He added that collective efforts should be made, particularly in the health and education sectors and youth empowerment.
He said minority communities, including Christians, Hindus, Parsis, and Sikhs, have always lived very peacefully, making up a cohesive and harmonious society. He said all are playing an active role in the development of the country.
Makkah Defence Pact defensive in nature
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye is entirely for defensive purposes, and not for any aggression.
Addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad, the prime minister said the agreement is not intended to facilitate aggression against any country.
“Its purpose is definitely not that any aggression occurs. It is entirely for defensive purposes, for peace, tranquillity and progress in the region,” he affirmed.
“I believe this agreement is a source of strength not just among these three countries, but for the entire Muslim ummah,” he noted.
Shehbaz said efforts to establish the trilateral defence framework had been under way for several years and had finally materialised with the signing of the pact in Makkah.
Also Read: Pakistan-Saudi-Turkiye Defence Pact ‘Entirely for Defensive Purposes’: PM Sharif
He noted that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had already signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in September 2025, while Pakistan and Turkiye had maintained defence and security arrangements for decades.
PM Shehbaz recalled that the Pakistani nation and the army had been honoured to “defend the world’s holiest places” of Makkah and Madinah for years along with the Saudi forces.
