By Iftikhar Mashwani
ISLAMABAD :Military chiefs from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have pledged to immediately translate the commitments of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA) into practical military cooperation.
The commitment was made during a meeting of the three countries’ defence chiefs and chiefs of general staff in Riyadh on Friday, according to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The military leaders reviewed the regional security situation and threats facing Saudi Arabia. They also strongly condemned attacks targeting the holy city of Makkah, as well as strikes against civilian and economic infrastructure.
The commanders praised the vigilance and professionalism of the Saudi Armed Forces in protecting the kingdom and its people.
During the meeting, the three sides discussed measures to deepen defence cooperation, including greater intelligence sharing, closer military coordination and the integration of defence capabilities to strengthen deterrence and collective defence.
The military chiefs also highlighted the longstanding ties and mutual trust between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, describing the meeting as a reflection of their growing defence partnership.
They reaffirmed their commitment to collective defence and pledged to protect Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Makkah Defence Agreement
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, 2026, during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence.
Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three signatories is to be regarded as an attack against all three.
The pact also calls for closer defence cooperation, including enhanced coordination and joint military exercises. Political and military mechanisms involving the countries’ defence and foreign ministers, as well as military chiefs, are also to be established.
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said the alliance’s secretariat will be based in Riyadh, with Pakistan providing its first secretary general. Pakistan subsequently appointed retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood to the position, while the alliance’s General Secretariat was established in Riyadh.
Possible Expansion
The possibility of expanding the defence arrangement has also emerged.
Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş said on Friday that the MJDA could eventually develop into a broader security framework for the Muslim world and that Iran could potentially join.
Kurtulmuş said Türkiye did not view the agreement as being directed against Iran.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also supported Iran’s participation in a broader regional security framework.
