Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye are moving to turn their collective defence commitments into action under the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance (MJDA), following recent attacks on the kingdom. Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), made the announcement.
Speaking to the Saudi daily Asharq Al-Awsat, the military spokesperson said Islamabad’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity was “absolute and non-negotiable.” The three countries signed their trilateral agreement on August 7. Under its terms, an armed attack on any one member counts as an attack on all, with the goal of strengthening collective deterrence and security cooperation.
Rapid deployment and closer military integration in the kingdom
The DG ISPR said putting the pact into effect requires arrangements for quickly deploying agreed forces and capabilities inside Saudi Arabia. These measures include higher readiness levels, deeper military integration, intelligence sharing and coordinated defensive operations.
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He added that, under both the bilateral Joint Strategic Defence Agreement and the trilateral alliance, Pakistan stands ready to take every necessary defensive step to protect the kingdom.
Pakistani troops already in place for defensive support
He confirmed that Pakistani troops are already in Saudi Arabia, providing defensive support, training and joint exercises. Islamabad, he said, will continue supplying defensive assistance in personnel, training and logistics.
He declined to share details about additional air and missile defence assets, explaining that military alliances do not disclose troop numbers or deployment details. Condemning recent strikes on Saudi airports, cities and civilian infrastructure, he said the attacks threaten regional stability and cause deep concern in Pakistan.
“The security of Saudi Arabia and the Two Holy Mosques is a top, non-negotiable priority,” he stressed, calling for restraint and diplomacy to prevent further escalation.
Diplomatic outreach in Tehran and the two defence pacts
Alongside its military posture, the spokesperson pointed to Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions. He cited an October 26 meeting in Tehran between Makkah pact representatives and Iran, which aimed to set a framework for de-escalation and regional cooperation.
He said the participation of Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), following an earlier visit to Tehran, highlighted Islamabad’s push for peaceful dispute resolution. The four countries agreed to keep dialogue going toward regional stability.
On the two agreements, he said the bilateral Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September 2025, formalised decades of defence ties. Building on that framework, the three countries signed the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance in August 2026. Ratified by all three nations and taking effect this month, the pact treats an attack on one member as aggression against all. He stressed that both pacts are strictly defensive and hold no offensive intent against any country.
