First Makkah defence pact meeting begins today

The first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Mutual Defence Pact between Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will be held in Istanbul on August 31.

Foreign and defence ministers, along with senior military leaders from the three countries, will attend the meeting. The discussions will focus on joint defence, defence industry cooperation, counterterrorism efforts, greater coordination among the three armed forces, and major regional and global security issues.

The meeting is being hosted by Türkiye. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu are expected to participate.

Pakistan will be represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

Saudi Arabia will be represented by Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman and Chief of General Staff General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili.

According to sources, the meeting will review the regional and global security situation and explore ways to strengthen the defence capabilities of the three countries.

The participants will discuss measures to increase cooperation and operational coordination among the armed forces of Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The possibilities of joint military exercises and greater interoperability between the three militaries will also be examined.

Expanding cooperation in the defence industry will be another key item on the agenda. The three sides are expected to explore greater collaboration in joint defence production, research and development, and defence technology.

The meeting will also discuss ways to strengthen joint efforts against terrorism and identify new areas of cooperation in counterterrorism.

The participants are expected to discuss establishing a secretariat and other institutional mechanisms to implement joint projects and activities agreed under the committee. The three countries will also consider preparing a comprehensive roadmap for future cooperation.

Sources said the meeting is also expected to highlight the Makkah Mutual Defence Pact as a new cooperation-based framework aimed at promoting peace, security and stability in the region.

The pact could also create opportunities for cooperation with other countries that respect international law and prioritise peace, stability and public prosperity over conflict.

What is the Makkah Mutual Defence Pact?

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Mutual Defence Pact in Makkah on August 7.

Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reached the agreement amid growing instability in the region and around the world. The pact is based on the principles of shared responsibility and regional ownership.

Its main objective is to promote peace, security, stability and prosperity while strengthening the collective defence capabilities and deterrence of the three countries.

Under a key provision of the agreement, an attack against any one of the three countries will be considered an attack against all three parties. The provision establishes a clear collective security framework for defence cooperation among Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

The pact also seeks to promote a new culture of cooperation in the region. It leaves open the possibility of future participation by other countries that respect international law and share the vision of peaceful cooperation.