ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s senior political and military leaders will travel to Riyadh on Monday for a key meeting under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. The talks will bring Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye together amid growing regional tensions.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will represent Pakistan at the October 5 meeting.
Pakistan Joins Key Regional Security Talks
The Strategic Political and Defence Committee (SPDC) will bring together senior political and military officials from the three countries. Saudi Arabia and Türkiye will also send their foreign and defence ministers and senior military chiefs to the meeting.
Türkiye’s delegation will include Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yasar Guler and Chief of General Staff General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu.
Regional Issues on the Agenda
The Foreign Office said the officials will discuss recent regional developments and cooperation under the Makkah framework.
The Turkish foreign ministry also said the meeting will review progress towards institutionalising the alliance.
Pakistan will use the talks to discuss regional security and defence cooperation with its Saudi and Turkish counterparts. However, the Foreign Office has not revealed the specific regional issues on the agenda.
Growing Regional Tensions
The meeting comes as regional tensions continue to rise. Renewed fighting in Yemen and Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have increased security concerns. Pakistan’s foreign minister has also said Iran proposed political engagement with the Houthis.
The SPDC will provide a formal platform for consultations between the three countries. Pakistan appointed retired Lt Gen Nauman Mahmood as the agreement’s first secretary general in September.
Islamabad has reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement. Officials have also stressed that Pakistan will keep details about responses to potential threats confidential.
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