Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to 'sign defence pact' on Friday

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan are set to sign a joint defence agreement on Friday in Mecca, according to sources in Ankara. This significant new trilateral framework is expected to enhance the stability and security in the region. The deal, which has been under negotiation since last year, may include a mutual defence clause, although the final terms have yet to be confirmed.

If successfully implemented, the agreement will cover all defence cooperation among the three Muslim-majority countries and include oil-rich Saudi Arabia, nuclear-armed Pakistan, and Turkey - the second-largest army in NATO. Saudi Arabia, home to Mecca and Medina, is the Arab world's only G20 economy. Pakistan is the Muslim-world’s only nuclear-armed state.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel to Saudi Arabia early on Friday to sign the pact with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.