Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, has arrived in Istanbul to participate in the first meeting under the newly signed trilateral defence agreement between Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia. This landmark meeting is scheduled for Monday and will involve top officials, including foreign and defence ministers as well as the chiefs of staff from the three countries.
In a significant development, the meeting aims to address pressing international security issues and enhance cooperation among the allied nations. The trilateral pact, known as the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, was signed on August 7 and commits the three countries to collective security and mutual deterrence. It establishes that an armed attack against any member will be considered an attack against all, a principle closely resembling NATO’s Article 5 collective defence clause. Additionally, the pact encourages expanded collaboration in defence-related matters.
Discussions in Istanbul are expected to focus on boosting defence capabilities, improving interoperability among the armed forces, and expanding joint ventures in defence production and development. These efforts reflect the strategic importance of the alliance amid ongoing regional tensions.
Dar’s arrival in Istanbul followed his official visit to the United Kingdom. Upon landing, he was welcomed by Brigadier General Senol Varol, Turkish Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye Dr. Yousaf Junaid, Turkish Foreign Ministry Ambassador Cihad Erginay, and other senior officials. The Pakistani Foreign Office confirmed his arrival, highlighting the official nature of his engagements.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for another round of regional consultations in Istanbul involving Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt under the R4 framework. This group has concentrated on regional security and diplomatic initiatives, including efforts to mediate the conflict between the United States and Iran. Prior to his arrival, Dar held separate talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, focusing on the evolving regional situation and the upcoming R4 meeting.
The Istanbul meeting gains added significance as it follows the signing of the Makkah defence pact, which unites three influential Muslim-majority nations with substantial military and economic power. The agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan has emphasized that the pact is purely defensive and not targeted against any specific country.
Notably, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has stated that while the agreement mirrors NATO’s Article 5 in principle, it is not directed at Iran. Turkiye has also suggested potential expansion of the pact to include other countries such as Egypt. The agreement was signed amid rising tensions in the Middle East and ongoing conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, reflecting the shared concerns about regional instability.
The trilateral defence meeting occurs against the backdrop of stalled negotiations over the Iran conflict and broader Gulf instability. Security concerns have escalated for Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states due to missile attacks and threats to critical energy infrastructure and shipping lanes.
Pakistan has positioned itself as a diplomatic bridge in the region, maintaining active engagement with Gulf countries and Iran while supporting de-escalation efforts. The R4 mechanism, involving Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, was established earlier this year to facilitate mediation between Washington and Tehran. Their previous meeting took place in Cairo in June, where they welcomed the emerging Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran.
With the Istanbul consultations coinciding with the first defence pact meeting, discussions are expected to address both immediate regional security challenges and long-term strategic cooperation. For Pakistan, Dar’s presence offers a crucial opportunity to align diplomatic positions with Turkiye and Saudi Arabia amid heightened regional tensions, while reinforcing defence and strategic partnerships.
