Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye sign 'Makkah Joint Defence Agreement'

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye have signed a new defence pact to strengthen cooperation and create a stronger collective response to any aggression, the Foreign Office said on Friday.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the “Makkah Joint Defence Agreement” during a meeting in Makkah.

According to the Foreign Office, the agreement reflects the three countries' commitment to deepening security ties and promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond. The pact states that an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack against all three, according to the FO.

It also calls for greater cooperation in various areas of defence among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.

Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Makkah. He was accompanied by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The prime minister arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for a three-day official visit.

The Foreign Office has said the trip comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Gulf but carries importance beyond the immediate regional crisis and short-term developments.