Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye to Hold Historic First Defence Pact Meeting

Top officials from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye are set to convene in Istanbul tomorrow for the first committee meeting under the newly signed joint defence pact, marking a significant step in regional security cooperation.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7 in Turkiye’s capital Ankara, brings together three key US allies: Pakistan, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif; Saudi Arabia, represented by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman; and Turkiye, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in attendance. The pact is designed to enhance collective deterrence, with provisions similar to NATO’s Article 5, meaning an armed attack on one member would be considered an attack on all.

According to a foreign ministry source in Turkiye, the meeting in Istanbul will be attended by foreign and defence ministers, as well as chiefs of staff from all three countries. The agenda will focus on international security challenges, with discussions expected to include strengthening defence capabilities, improving military interoperability, and expanding cooperation in the defence industry through joint production and development.

The backdrop to these talks is a volatile regional security environment, shaped by the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, which began on February 28. The war has drawn in multiple Gulf states and disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies. Iran has conducted several attacks on countries hosting US military bases and warned others against supporting US operations against Tehran.

Pakistan has emerged as a key mediator in the crisis, playing a central role in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions between the United States and Iran. Despite six months of negotiations, diplomatic progress remains stalled, and the US administration under President Donald Trump has intensified economic pressure on Iran, announcing what it terms an “economic D-Day.”

Turkiye, which hosts NATO’s second-largest military, has emphasized that the defence pact is not aimed at any specific country and remains open to expansion. Egypt is seen as a potential future partner, and the three nations—alongside Pakistan and Egypt—have formed a regional group known as the R4 to address shared security concerns, particularly the conflict involving Iran.

In a post on X, Erdoğan stated that the agreement is based on collective deterrence and aims to enhance security cooperation, promote joint defence projects, and combat terrorism. He reaffirmed that the pact aligns with Article 51 of the UN Charter, which recognizes the right to self-defence, and stressed that it does not target any nation but welcomes participation from like-minded countries committed to regional peace and stability.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Istanbul on Sunday to attend the meeting. He was received by senior Turkish officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff Brig Gen Senol Varol, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye Dr. Yousaf Junaid, and Turkish MFA Ambassador Cihad Erginay.

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