Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has clarified the purpose and scope of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, saying the pact is purely defensive and is not directed against any country.
Dar said discussions about the agreement had continued for the past two days and that, given the public interest surrounding the pact, it was important to explain its background and key provisions.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in Makkah on August 7.
According to Dar, the agreement reflects the depth of the fraternal relations between the leadership and peoples of the three countries. He said the accord is the culmination of negotiations, discussions and mutual coordination that have taken place over many years.
The agreement seeks to strengthen strategic cooperation among the three countries in addressing a range of peace and security challenges while promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity.
Agreement does not replace existing pacts
Dar stressed that the Makkah Agreement does not abrogate, replace or alter any existing bilateral or multilateral agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
He added that the pact also does not affect agreements that the three countries have with other countries or international organisations.
The clarification comes amid public discussion about the implications of the new defence arrangement and its relationship with Pakistan’s existing international commitments.
A key provision of the agreement states that an external armed attack against any one of the three countries will be considered an attack against all three.
Dar said the provision is consistent with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence recognised under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. He emphasised that the agreement is defensive in nature and is intended to strengthen the three countries’ ability to respond collectively to security challenges.
Pact not targeted against any country
The deputy prime minister made clear that the Makkah Agreement is not aimed at any particular country. He said its sole purpose is to further strengthen ongoing efforts to promote peace, stability and prosperity across the wider region.
Dar’s clarification comes as the new Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Türkiye security arrangement has attracted significant attention because of its collective-defence provision.
Agreement remains open to regional countries
Dar said the Makkah Agreement remains open to any country in the region that is willing to uphold its fundamental principles.
Countries seeking to join or cooperate under its framework would be expected to resolve differences through mutual respect, cooperation and peaceful means.
The provision, he said, reflects the broader objective of encouraging dialogue and peaceful cooperation rather than creating a mechanism directed against other states.
Pact aligns with Pakistan’s foreign policy
Dar said the Makkah Agreement is consistent with the fundamental principles of Pakistan’s foreign policy. He stressed that Pakistan remains keen to continue cooperation with all countries in the region to promote lasting peace and stability.
“Pakistan is committed to promoting the peaceful resolution of all disputes,” the deputy prime minister said, reiterating Islamabad’s preference for resolving regional conflicts through dialogue and peaceful means.
Dar said Pakistan would continue working closely with brotherly countries across the region to advance peace, stability and prosperity.
He added that Islamabad remains committed to peaceful conflict resolution and to building a more secure, stable and prosperous future for the people of Pakistan and the wider region.
The clarification places the Makkah Agreement within Pakistan’s broader foreign-policy approach of strengthening strategic partnerships while maintaining cooperation with countries across the region.
