Pakistan says Makkah alliance is defensive, its expansion not on the cards

Foreign Office Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan declared on Thursday that the Makkah agreement, a defensive alliance between Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, is not intended for expansion. The statement was made in response to a query about Pakistan's plans to fulfill its obligations under the accord following the Houthis' attack on Saudi Arabia.

Signed on August 7, the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement obligates the three nations to bolster collective security, treating an armed attack against any one member as an attack against all. This pact, akin to NATO's Article 5, is purely defensive, with no intention of targeting any specific country and aimed at fostering regional peace, stability, and deterrence.

Enhancements to defence cooperation encompass joint military exercises, exchange of defence information, and collaboration within the defence industry. The agreement also establishes a permanent secretariat in Saudi Arabia, with Pakistan providing the first secretary general for a three-year term. Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif hinted that the pact could become operational if the Yemen conflict spilled over into Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that aggression against one member would be considered aggression against all three.

Pakistan is obligated to honor its commitments under the agreement if the occasion arises, viewing it as a joint defence and collective assistance arrangement, rather than a tool for aggression.