Makkah Defence Pact Draws Interest From 6+ Countries as Emergency Meeting Nears

More than six countries have expressed interest in joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said Friday.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Dar said the agreement remains defensive in nature. He also stressed that it does not have an offensive agenda.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7. The agreement provides collective defence among the three countries.

More Countries Seek to Join Makkah Defence Pact

Dar said more than six countries are interested in joining the Makkah Defence Pact. However, new membership requests cannot be considered until the agreement becomes fully operational.

The pact treats an armed attack against one member as an attack against all three countries. The agreement also provides for stronger defence cooperation among the members.

Dar reiterated that the agreement is defensive and not intended for offensive operations. He also said the United Nations Charter allows such collective defence arrangements.

“We are bound to defend Saudi Arabia,” Dar said.

Emergency Meeting Planned Next Week

Dar said an emergency meeting under the Makkah agreement will take place next week. The meeting will review the latest security situation in Saudi Arabia.

He said the kingdom had faced 17 to 18 attacks. The upcoming meeting will therefore provide an opportunity for the three member states to discuss their response.

The first meeting under the agreement took place on August 31. Dar also said the pact’s headquarters will be established in Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan has nominated Lieutenant General (retired) Nauman Mahmood as the first secretary general of the Makkah Defence Alliance. Dar described him as a “very good and pious officer”.

Dar Addresses Strait of Hormuz

Dar also discussed the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz during the press conference. He said there should be no fee or service charge for crossing the strategic waterway.

“There should be no fee or service charge for crossing the strategic waterway,” Dar said.

He also discussed conversations involving Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. According to Dar, both wanted the matter to end “somehow”.

Dar added that all parties were seeking to maximise their gains as discussions continued.

Pakistan Seeks Action Against Militants in Afghanistan

Turning to Afghanistan, Dar said Pakistan had “good wishes” for the country. However, he stressed that Kabul must ensure its territory is not used against Pakistan.

“They have to show that action has been taken against the [banned] Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, Balochistan Liberation Army and Fitna al-Hindustan,” he said.

Dar also said Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan had remained closed since October. He added that Pakistan was aware crops had been destroyed as a result.

The latest comments come as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye prepare for another meeting under the Makkah Defence Agreement. Meanwhile, interest from other countries in joining the pact remains under consideration.

For the latest updates, visit and follow The Truth International website (www.thetruthinternational.com) and subscribe to the YouTube Channel.