Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye hold first meeting under Makkah defence pact in Istanbul

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey convened their inaugural meeting under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in Istanbul on Monday. The Pakistani Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif were in attendance. The Foreign Office announced the meeting would include the Strategic Political and Defence Committee under the Makkah pact.

The initial ministerial meeting of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan following the pact's signing is viewed as a foundational step for trilateral strategic and defence collaboration. Discussions were anticipated to cover enhancing defense capabilities, interoperability of armed forces, and cooperation within the defense industry.

The meeting is expected to define a framework for a secretariat and other mechanisms, as well as chart a roadmap for upcoming actions. The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7, grants member states the right to regard an attack on one as an attack on all. Prior to the trilateral meeting, bilateral discussions took place in Istanbul.

Turkish National Defence Minister Yaşar Güler met Field Marshal Munir. The Turkish Ministry of National Defence posted a video of their meeting, with the Turkish minister also having a separate discussion with Asif and General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu. Pakistan's involvement in the meeting underscores its longstanding friendship with Turkey and Saudi Arabia, alongside its commitment to regional peace and stability.