Trump hails Pakistan-Saudi-Türkiye defence pact as ‘bold, important first step’

United States President Donald Trump welcomed the signing of a defense pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, hailing it as a "bold, important first step." In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, "Very happy to see that Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Pakistan have recently, and finally, signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement." He emphasized that the pact demonstrated how the Middle East was uniting and would allow countries to defend themselves more effectively.

Signed on August 7, the "Makkah Joint Defence Agreement" aims to enhance collective deterrence against any act of aggression, with an agreement that an armed attack against any of the three countries would be considered an attack on all. The statement was made jointly by the three nations.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised President Trump's words of support regarding the agreement. He expressed gratitude for the kind words and affirmed that Pakistan, along with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, would continue to play a constructive role in ensuring the defense of their respective nations and the entire region.

Sharif also commended Trump for his leadership in averting a nuclear catastrophe in South Asia and saving millions of lives, emphasizing that durable peace is crucial for a bright and prosperous future for their peoples.