The new trilateral defence pact between Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia has been renamed the “Makkah Defence Alliance”.
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced the new name following the alliance’s first strategic meeting in Istanbul.
He also revealed that the alliance’s first secretary general will come from Pakistan.
The announcement came after the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee.
The committee was established under the agreement previously known as the “Makkah Joint Defence Agreement”.
Riyadh to Host the Alliance Secretariat
Fidan said the alliance’s secretariat will be established in Riyadh as the three countries develop its structure.
He also said the participating countries were preparing a roadmap for other nations to join the defence pact.
According to Fidan, the alliance aims to promote regional peace, stability and prosperity.
The meeting also sought to define shared responsibilities amid growing regional and global tensions.
Furthermore, officials discussed security developments and ways to strengthen cooperation between the three member states.
Defence Capabilities and Collective Deterrence on Agenda
The Istanbul meeting focused on strengthening the defence capabilities of Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.
It also considered closer coordination among the armed forces of the three countries.
Fidan said the pact aims to strengthen joint defence capabilities and collective deterrence.
The members also discussed increasing cooperation against terrorism and expanding defence industry collaboration.
That cooperation could include joint production, research and development, according to the Turkish foreign minister.
The meeting also considered mechanisms for establishing the alliance’s secretariat and guiding future joint activities.
Fidan stressed that the alliance does not target any specific state. He added that friendly countries could participate if they adhere to the alliance’s principles.
Pakistan Leads High-Level Trilateral Participation
Pakistan was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
Field Marshal Asim Munir serves as Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces.
Senior officials from Türkiye and Saudi Arabia also participated in the high-level meeting.
Their delegations included foreign and defence ministers, along with chiefs of general staff.
Pakistan’s participation reflects its longstanding ties with Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.
It also highlights Islamabad’s stated commitment to regional peace and stability.
Defence Pact Signed Earlier This Month
The three countries signed the defence agreement on August 7, establishing a framework for collective defence.
The agreement emerged amid heightened regional tensions and the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Under the pact, an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be regarded as an attack against all.
The arrangement has therefore been compared with NATO’s Article 5 collective defence principle.
The agreement seeks to strengthen collective deterrence against acts of aggression involving any member state.
Asim Munir Holds High-Level Meetings in Istanbul
During his official visit to Türkiye, Field Marshal Asim Munir also held several high-level meetings in Istanbul.
He separately met Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
The army chief also met Türkiye’s Minister of National Defence Yasar Guler.
He further held discussions with Chief of the Turkish General Staff Selcuk Bayraktaroglu.
The meetings covered matters of mutual interest, bilateral defence cooperation and the regional security environment.
Munir also attended the Strategic Political and Defence Committee meeting alongside senior officials from the three countries.
The three sides reviewed opportunities to strengthen strategic coordination and defence cooperation.
Saudi and Turkish Officials Discuss Defence Cooperation
Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman separately said he met Field Marshal Asim Munir.
He said the discussion focused on prospects for military and defence cooperation between the two countries.
The two officials also reviewed developments in the regional situation and related response efforts.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif met Türkiye’s Minister of National Defence Yasar Guler in Istanbul.
During the meeting, Asif and Turkish leadership agreed to enhance joint defence cooperation in the region.
A New Phase for the Three-Nation Partnership
The renaming of the pact marks another step in formalising defence cooperation between Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.
The creation of a secretariat in Riyadh will provide an institutional structure for future activities.
At the same time, plans for a wider membership roadmap could expand the alliance beyond its founding members.
For now, the three countries are focusing on defence coordination, counterterrorism cooperation and collective deterrence.
The first meeting has consequently established the framework for a new phase of strategic cooperation among the three nations.
