OIC welcomes Pak-Saudi-Turkiye joint defence pact, calls it 'important strategic step'

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has welcomed the signing of a joint defence pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, describing it as an "important strategic step". This agreement, known as the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, aims to enhance collective deterrence and establish that an attack on one of the three nations would be considered an attack on all of them.

OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha expressed his "strong appreciation and support" for the pact, stating that it represents a "fundamental pillar for supporting security and stability in the region and across the Muslim world". The OIC, the second largest organization after the United Nations, consists of 57 member states, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye.

Taha praised the "tireless efforts and wise leadership" of the three countries in reaching the historic agreement, and expressed hope that it would contribute to achieving peace and prosperity in the region and beyond. The pact was signed during a trilateral summit in Makkah, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan present.

The agreement does not replace any existing bilateral or multilateral agreements between the countries. Bahrain and Somalia also welcomed the pact, viewing it as a significant addition to the broader regional defence architecture and a historic milestone in strengthening collective security and addressing shared security challenges.