Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia formalise Makkah Defence Alliance

On the sidelines of the main summit in Istanbul, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir held separate meetings with Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. The meeting with the Turkish defence minister was also attended by Turkish Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu. Separately, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also met with his Turkish counterpart, Yaşar Güler. The discussions in these bilateral meetings focused on matters of mutual interest and defence cooperation.

Following the inaugural meeting of the Makkah Defence Alliance's Strategic Political and Defence Committee, a joint declaration confirmed new operational details. The alliance's first secretary general, who will be from Pakistan, is set to serve a three-year term. The declaration also stated that the three member countries—Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia—will support de-escalation and restraint to peacefully resolve crises. The members agreed to further institutionalize cooperation and take measures to enhance collective defence and the credibility of deterrence.

Following the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee in Istanbul, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed key details about the new trilateral security pact between Türkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. The alliance has been officially named the “Makkah Defence Alliance.”

Fidan announced that the alliance's permanent secretariat will be based in Riyadh, and Pakistan is set to provide its first secretary general. He also stated that the member states are preparing a roadmap that will outline procedures for other countries to join the defence framework in the future.

The Turkish minister emphasized that the alliance is not directed against any particular country and aims to advance regional peace, stability, and economic prosperity. The talks also covered cooperation in counter-terrorism and joint defence production.

Following the inaugural meeting of the Makkah Defence Alliance's Strategic Political and Defence Committee in Istanbul, discussions have reportedly begun regarding the potential expansion of the security pact. Available reports suggest Bangladesh is being considered as a possible future member of the trilateral alliance between Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, held key talks with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on the sidelines of the first Makkah Defence Alliance committee meeting in Istanbul, it was confirmed on Monday.

The high-level engagement took place as the foreign ministers, defence ministers, and military chiefs of Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia gathered for the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee.

Separately, Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler also held meetings with his Pakistani counterpart, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Field Marshal Munir. According to reports, the leaders agreed to further strengthen military cooperation.

Following the first committee meeting in Istanbul, the trilateral defence pact between Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia has been formally named the “Makkah Defence Alliance.”

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on Monday that the alliance's permanent secretariat will be established in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He also confirmed that the first Secretary-General of the alliance will be from Pakistan.

The announcements formalise the institutional structure of the pact, which was signed on August 7.

Following the first committee meeting of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in Istanbul, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that a roadmap is being developed to allow other countries to join the trilateral framework. The agreement is now also being referred to as the "Makkah Pact".

Mr. Fidan stated the committee's goal is to contribute to regional peace and stability. The meeting's agenda was also expanded to include enhancing cooperation in counterterrorism, collaboration in the defence industry, and exploring opportunities for joint production and research and development.

The inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee, established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, was held in Istanbul on Monday, August 31. The Saudi delegation was led by Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, while the Turkish side included Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler, and Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu.

The agenda for the meeting included reviewing regional security, strengthening the three nations' defence capabilities, increasing joint military exercises, and establishing a permanent secretariat for the committee. It was also reported that the defence pact includes a mutual defence clause, stipulating that an attack on one signatory will be considered an attack on all three.

Ahead of the inaugural trilateral defence committee meeting in Istanbul, Pakistan's top defence and military leaders held bilateral meetings with their Turkish counterparts on Monday, agreeing to enhance joint defence cooperation.

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif met with Türkiye's Minister of National Defence, Yaşar Güler. Separately, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also held a meeting with Minister Güler and the Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu.

The meetings took place prior to the first session of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee, established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye.

On the sidelines of the inaugural Makkah Joint Defence Agreement committee meeting in Istanbul, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif held a bilateral meeting with his Turkish counterpart on August 31.

The inaugural strategic, political, and defence meeting under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement has been held in Istanbul, Turkiye. The session brought together high-level delegations from Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Istanbul from London to attend the inaugural committee meeting of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, according to available information from August 31.

Ahead of the main session, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a bilateral meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan. During their discussion, Senator Dar reiterated Pakistan's commitment to lasting regional peace and stability, and both ministers expressed satisfaction with the steady growth of bilateral ties.

Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commented on the trilateral pact, stating that the Makkah Agreement confirms the 'strategic brotherhood' between the nations and 'paves the way for our common security and defence strength'.

The Pakistani delegation for the talks also includes Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

The first committee meeting under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia commenced in Istanbul on August 31.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7, brings together the three Sunni Muslim nations, described as US allies concerned by the ongoing Iran war. A Turkish foreign ministry source stated the pact is intended to strengthen collective deterrence and includes a clause similar to NATO’s Article 5, stipulating that an armed attack against one member would be regarded as an attack on all.

The agenda for the Istanbul meeting is expected to cover enhancing defence capabilities, achieving greater interoperability between their armed forces, and deepening cooperation in the defence industry, including joint production and development.

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, arrived in Türkiye on Sunday for an official visit.

His arrival coincides with the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar in Istanbul for a series of high-level diplomatic engagements. The visits come as Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia prepare for the inaugural committee-level session under the recently signed Makkah joint defence agreement.

In addition to the trilateral talks, Senator Dar is also scheduled to attend the Regional 4 (R-4) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which includes Egypt. Discussions are expected to focus on regional security, diplomatic coordination, and efforts to ease tensions.

Upon his arrival from the United Kingdom, Dar visited the shrine of Hazrat Abu Ayyub Ansari (RA) in Istanbul, where he offered prayers for Pakistan's peace and prosperity.

Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has arrived in Istanbul to attend the meeting, according to reports citing Turkish foreign ministry sources.