Makkah, August 7, 2026: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye on Friday signed the historic Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, committing themselves to collective defence, expanded military cooperation and closer strategic coordination in what is being regarded as one of the most significant trilateral security arrangements among the three Muslim nations.
The agreement was signed during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence, held at Al-Safa Palace under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud welcomed Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan before the summit commenced.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the summit reviewed the longstanding strategic relations among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, alongside key regional and international developments amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Erdoğan formally signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, reaffirming that the partnership among the three countries is rooted in decades of historical ties, Islamic solidarity, shared strategic interests and longstanding defence cooperation.
The agreement provides that any armed attack against one of the three member states will be regarded as an attack against all, creating a framework for collective deterrence and coordinated response against external aggression.
It also envisages expanded cooperation across all areas of defence, including military coordination, strategic planning, intelligence and security collaboration, defence industries, joint training, institutional cooperation and measures aimed at strengthening the collective defence capabilities of the three countries.
The trilateral pact is being viewed as a major strategic development that significantly enhances defence cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye at a time when the Middle East continues to face heightened security challenges following months of regional instability.
The summit also enabled the three leaders to exchange views on major regional developments and reaffirm their commitment to promoting peace, stability and collective security through closer strategic coordination.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held high-level bilateral talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during which both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the longstanding strategic partnership between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Shehbaz, who is on a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia from August 6 to 8, was accompanied by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the bilateral meeting focused on expanding strategic cooperation, enhancing defence and economic collaboration, and reviewing regional and international developments.
The Foreign Office said the visit reflects the deep-rooted relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, built on decades of mutual trust, cooperation and brotherhood. It added that the discussions were aimed at deepening strategic collaboration, strengthening coordination on regional and global issues, reinforcing multilateral cooperation and further expanding bilateral ties.
Although the visit comes against the backdrop of continuing tensions in the Gulf following the US-Iran crisis, the Foreign Office said it carries significance beyond immediate regional developments and demonstrates the shared commitment of both countries to long-term strategic cooperation and regional stability.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi described the Prime Minister’s visit as an important diplomatic engagement that would contribute to strengthening bilateral relations, promoting regional peace and enhancing cooperation on issues affecting regional security. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East and promoting peaceful resolution of disputes.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also performed Umrah during their stay in the Kingdom.
The Pakistani delegation was received upon arrival in Jeddah by Makkah Deputy Governor Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz and Saudi Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley.
The signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement further builds upon rapidly expanding security ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. In September 2025, both countries concluded a bilateral mutual defence pact under which aggression against either country would be treated as aggression against both. Earlier this year, Pakistan also deployed fighter aircraft and military personnel to the Kingdom under the bilateral defence framework to further strengthen Saudi Arabia’s security capabilities.
Beyond defence cooperation, Saudi Arabia remains one of Pakistan’s closest strategic partners, maintaining extensive collaboration in political, economic and security sectors. Riyadh has consistently supported Pakistan during periods of economic difficulty, while Islamabad has maintained decades of military cooperation with the Kingdom through training, advisory and security assistance.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is expected to open a new chapter in trilateral strategic cooperation, reinforcing the collective commitment of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye to regional peace, security and stability while strengthening defence collaboration among three of the Muslim world’s most influential nations
training, advisory and security support.
