Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on Friday. It creates a framework under which an armed attack on one will count as an attack on all three.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the pact reflects commitment to collective security and regional stability. “The agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and stipulates that any armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all,” it said.
The agreement also provides for stronger defence cooperation in all areas.
Pact Comes Amid Middle East War
The pact comes during the US-Israel war on Iran, which began on February 28. Iran and allied groups have attacked Gulf states and disrupted energy routes. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply. Meanwhile, Houthi threats have increased pressure on Red Sea shipping.
Pakistan has played a mediation role between Washington and Tehran. Last month, Islamabad reiterated “unwavering support” for Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and prosperity after Houthi threats.
The trilateral pact follows the Saudi-Pakistan mutual defence agreement signed in September 2025. That deal also treated aggression against one country as aggression against both.
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Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence
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Turkiye has NATO’s second-largest military. Saudi Arabia is a major oil exporter, while Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed Muslim-majority country. Reuters reported that the trilateral deal followed nearly a year of negotiations.
Analysts See Wider Regional Significance
Defence analyst Brigadier retired Waqar Hassan called the signing a “historic and landmark day”. He said three major Islamic nations with distinct positions had “decided to manage security matters themselves”.
Hassan linked the foundation of the agreement to last year’s Pakistan-India standoff. “The world witnessed how Pakistan managed that situation and defeated a major power, which led to a rise in Pakistan’s military prestige.”
He said the pact could become a “magnet” and pointed to the benefits of “collective security” seen in Europe and NATO.
“A major message is being sent from East to West: regional countries will now look after their own security. There is no need for a hegemonic power, whether it be Israel or India, which issues threats daily,” Hassan added.
Defence analyst Syed Mohammad Ali said the three countries showed awareness of regional security challenges and their own responsibility.
“They intend to collaboratively address the threats posed to peace and stability. This is a highly positive and timely initiative that will significantly assist in fostering peace, stability, and security throughout the Muslim world generally, and the Middle East specifically,” Ali said.
“It demonstrates that the leaders of the Muslim world are now stepping forward to tackle existing challenges, recognising that to combat internal discord, terrorism, and aggression, it is vital for these nations to combine their experience, resources, and insights into a unified strategy to enhance stability and peace.”
Ali added that Pakistan was demonstrating responsible and balanced strategic thinking through diplomatic efforts, including military diplomacy.
