ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is gearing up to take centre stage in regional security initiative as high-level meeting of the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Turkey defence alliance is expected to take place in Islamabad later this month amid escalating tensions involving the United States, Iran and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The anticipated gathering is another diplomatic development for Islamabad as Middle East faces mounting security challenges, with attacks on Saudi Arabia’s critical infrastructure raising concerns over a wider regional confrontation. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed hosting representatives of three-nation Makkah Defence Alliance in November.
Pakistan remains actively engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions stemming from the ongoing US-Iran confrontation. The expected meeting follows the landmark Makkah Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on August 7, 2026.
The agreement established a collective defence framework under which an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack against all participating nations. The arrangement shows major step towards closer military and strategic coordination among the three regional powers.
The Makkah Defence Pact: The Threats Behind the Alliance
The upcoming meeting in Pakistan is expected to provide an important platform for discussing regional threats and coordinating responses to emerging security challenges.
The proposed summit comes against an increasingly volatile security backdrop, with continued hostilities between Washington and Tehran adding to uncertainty across the Middle East.
Houthi rebels operating from Yemen have continued targeting Saudi airports, energy installations and other essential infrastructure, reportedly causing serious disruptions to civilian aviation. The attacks have heightened concerns over the vulnerability of the kingdom’s strategic facilities and the possibility of further regional escalation.
Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, assuring Riyadh of its support amid the growing security threats. Islamabad has also called on the Houthis to immediately cease attacks against civilian infrastructure and return to negotiations to resolve the conflict through peaceful means.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained extensive defence cooperation for decades, supported by longstanding diplomatic and economic relations. Beyond military cooperation, Riyadh has repeatedly provided financial assistance to Islamabad during challenging economic periods. Two countries further strengthened their strategic relationship by signing a separate bilateral defence agreement in September last year.
The alliance’s Strategic Political and Defence Committee previously met in Riyadh in October, reviewing the security situation in Saudi Arabia and assessing potential threats facing the kingdom. The proposed November meeting in Pakistan would provide another opportunity for the three countries to strengthen consultations and examine their collective defence priorities.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey indicated that Makkah Defence Agreement could eventually accommodate additional countries, potentially broadening the framework for regional security cooperation. However, all three governments have maintained that the alliance is defensive in character and is not intended to target any particular nation.
