New York, September 25, 2026: Foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have agreed to convene an urgent meeting of the three countries’ chiefs of staff to discuss ways to support Riyadh under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, amid renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held discussions on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye on August 7, provides that an armed attack against any one of the three parties would be considered an attack against all three.
According to statements from the Saudi and Pakistani sides, the ministers condemned attacks targeting the holy city of Makkah as well as civilian and economic facilities in Saudi Arabia. They also commended the vigilance of the Saudi armed forces and affirmed Riyadh’s right to take measures it considers appropriate for its defence in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.
The ministers discussed arrangements for an urgent meeting of the chiefs of staff of the three countries to examine ways to support Saudi Arabia under the defence agreement. The exact date and nature of any potential military support were not immediately specified.
They also reviewed progress towards establishing the agreement’s General Secretariat, committees and working groups, along with preparations for the commencement of their activities.
The three foreign ministers exchanged views on the regional situation and stressed the importance of international law, good neighbourliness, respect for state sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs and the security and freedom of navigation.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to working towards sustainable peace and stability, supporting de-escalation efforts and pursuing peaceful solutions to regional crises.
Earlier, Ishaq Dar said on social media that the three sides had reviewed progress towards establishing the institutional structures under the Makkah agreement and exchanged views on regional and international security issues.
The agreement’s institutional framework began taking shape at its inaugural Strategic Political and Defence Committee meeting in Istanbul on August 31. Pakistan was subsequently selected to head the agreement’s secretariat in Riyadh, while retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood was appointed its first secretary-general on September 23.
The latest discussions come amid renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities said they intercepted six ballistic missiles launched from Yemen on Thursday, while warnings were issued for several areas, including Makkah.
Pakistan has publicly reiterated its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security. On September 18, ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan would go to “any extent” to defend Saudi Arabia and described Islamabad’s commitment to the kingdom’s security as “unconditional”. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif subsequently said Pakistan would stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Saudi Arabia in safeguarding its sovereignty and security.
Türkiye has also indicated that it is prepared to address Saudi Arabia’s military requirements under the pact. Reuters reported last week that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara would support Saudi Arabia with technical military needs under the Makkah agreement.
