Pakistan’s leading civilian and military officials are set to travel to Riyadh on Monday to participate in a meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee (SPDC), established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. This gathering marks a pivotal step as the three-nation alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye moves from concept to active cooperation amid escalating regional tensions.
Representing Pakistan at the October 5 meeting will be 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. The committee will also include senior political and military leaders from Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, such as their respective foreign and defence ministers and chiefs of general staff.
Notably, the Turkish delegation is expected to comprise Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yasar Guler, and Chief of General Staff General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, joining their Pakistani and Saudi counterparts in Riyadh.
The agenda will focus on reviewing recent regional developments and assessing ongoing collaborative efforts under the Makkah framework. Additionally, the meeting aims to examine progress in institutionalizing the alliance, further solidifying the partnership between the three countries.
Pakistan’s participation underscores its commitment to fostering regional peace and stability. The delegation is anticipated to engage in detailed discussions on regional security and defence cooperation with Saudi and Turkish officials, although specific regional issues to be raised have not been publicly disclosed.
This meeting takes place against a backdrop of intensified regional instability, including renewed conflict in Yemen and attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces on Saudi territory. The Iranian proposal for political engagement with the Houthis is expected to be a significant topic of discussion within the committee.
Operationalizing the Makkah Agreement through the SPDC provides a platform for consultation on regional matters and ongoing joint initiatives. Pakistan appointed retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood as the pact’s inaugural secretary general in September, signaling Islamabad’s dedication to the agreement’s implementation.
While Pakistan remains fully committed to the agreement, it maintains that the specifics of any response to emerging threats will be kept confidential to safeguard strategic interests.
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