Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Sunday that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is open to other countries that are prepared to adhere to its basic principles.
He emphasised that the arrangement is defensive and seeks to support peace, stability and prosperity across the region.
Dar’s remarks followed the signing of the agreement by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye on Friday. The pact establishes a collective security mechanism under which an armed assault on one signatory would be treated as an attack on all three.
In a post on X, Dar described the agreement, known as the Makkah Accord, as a reflection of the longstanding fraternal relations between the three nations. He said the agreement was reached after years of consultations and coordination aimed at deepening strategic cooperation in dealing with common security and peace-related challenges.
Dar clarified that the accord does not cancel, supersede or alter any existing bilateral or multilateral arrangements involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia or Türkiye. He said the agreement is consistent with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which recognises the inherent right of states to individual and collective self-defence.
Under the accord, an armed attack against any of the three members would therefore be considered an attack against all signatories.
The DPM stressed that the agreement is not aimed at any particular country. Instead, he said, its objective is to strengthen existing initiatives for regional peace, security, stability and economic prosperity. He stated that the framework could accommodate other regional countries willing to embrace its core principles, respect one another and settle disputes through dialogue, cooperation and peaceful means.
According to him, the agreement is also aligned with the key principles of Pakistan’s foreign policy. He reaffirmed pakistan’s resolve to cooperate with regional partners in finding peaceful solutions to conflicts and creating a safer and more prosperous future.
The defence agreement was signed at the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence on August 7. The summit was attended by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with the foreign and defence ministers of the three countries.
