Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar stated on Sunday that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement remains accessible to countries willing to adhere to its foundational principles. He emphasized that the pact is defensive by nature, designed to foster peace, stability, and prosperity across the broader region.
This announcement followed the signing of the joint defence pact on Friday by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, which establishes a collective security framework. Under this agreement, an armed attack against any member state is considered an attack against all three nations.
In his remarks, DPM Dar highlighted that the Makkah Accord symbolizes the deep-seated brotherly relations among the three countries. It is the culmination of years of discussions and coordination aimed at enhancing strategic cooperation to tackle shared peace and security challenges. He clarified that the accord does not nullify or replace any existing bilateral or multilateral agreements involving the signatories.
Further, Dar referenced Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, noting that any armed attack on one signatory is treated as an attack on all, consistent with the right to individual and collective self-defense. He stressed that the agreement is not targeted against any specific country, but is intended solely to bolster ongoing efforts to promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
Notably, the pact remains open to any country in the region willing to uphold its core principles and resolve disputes through mutual respect, cooperation, and peaceful dialogue. The foreign minister affirmed that the accord aligns with the fundamental pillars of Pakistan’s foreign policy and reaffirms Islamabad’s dedication to collaborating with regional partners to advance peaceful conflict resolution and build a secure, prosperous future.
The defence pact was signed during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence held two days ago, attended by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Regional powers are seeking to strengthen security ties amid the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, which began on February 28. This conflict has significantly impacted the region, involving several Gulf states and disrupting maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Turkey, possessing NATO’s second-largest military, Saudi Arabia, the most powerful Gulf state and one of the world’s leading oil exporters, and Pakistan, the only nuclear-armed Muslim country, bring significant strategic weight to the alliance.
Following the pact’s signing, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan revealed that President Erdoğan is interested in expanding the alliance, with Egypt identified as a potential candidate to join.
Pakistan has gained attention since the war’s onset for its role as a key mediator between the US and Iran. The Foreign Office stated that the pact underscores the three countries’ shared commitment to enhancing collective security and fostering peace, security, and stability both regionally and beyond.
The agreement aims to strengthen collective deterrence against aggression, stipulating that any armed attack against one of the three states will be perceived as an attack on all. It also provides for the enhancement of defence cooperation across all aspects among the three nations.
This development comes one year after Pakistan signed a mutual defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, committing both countries to treat aggression against either as an attack on both.
