MAKKAH: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye on Friday signed the “Makkah Joint Defence Agreement” to strengthen collective security and enhance defence cooperation against external aggression, the Foreign Office (FO) announced.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the agreement during a high-level meeting in Makkah. According to the FO, the pact reflects the three countries’ shared commitment to promoting regional peace, security and stability while building a stronger strategic partnership. Moreover, the agreement seeks to reinforce collective deterrence and long-term defence collaboration.
The FO stated that any armed attack against one of the three countries will be considered an attack against all. Furthermore, the agreement provides for enhanced cooperation across all areas of defence, including closer coordination on security matters and military collaboration. Officials described the pact as a significant step toward strengthening regional stability amid evolving security challenges.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz, accompanied by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also attended the bilateral meeting. The leaders discussed expanding Pakistan-Saudi relations and reviewed regional and international developments of mutual interest.
Meanwhile, President Erdogan arrived in Saudi Arabia on a one-day working visit and joined the summit after travelling from Jeddah to Makkah. The three leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation, enhancing multilateral coordination and advancing long-term regional security through the newly signed defence agreement.
