Islamabad, August 30, 2026: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye will hold the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in Istanbul on August 31, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.
Pakistan will be represented at the high-level meeting by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
The meeting will also be attended by the foreign and defence ministers and chiefs of general staff of Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.
The Strategic Political and Defence Committee was established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed earlier this month by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye to strengthen cooperation in defence and strategic affairs and contribute to regional peace and stability.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s participation in the inaugural meeting reflected its historic bonds of friendship with Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, as well as its commitment to promoting lasting peace, security and stability in the region.
The Istanbul meeting is expected to provide a platform for the three countries to advance institutional coordination under the agreement and discuss matters of common strategic interest.
