Makkah Defence Alliance to Focus on Consolidation, No Immediate Expansion

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office spokesman said on Thursday that the Makkah Defence Alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye was “defensive.

Addressing weekly briefing he said that the expansion of the pact was currently “not on the cards”.

He said that the pact was primarily a “defensive alliance to ensure regional security primarily through deterrence”.

He said that expansion of the pact was currently “not on the cards”, adding that “Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye must first further consolidate their organisation and cooperation”.

He said that following the consolidation, the agreement will be “open to all countries that share similar stances and perspectives”.

The spokesperson said that the three member states were holding consultations at various levels under the framework.

He reiterated that the states will make a decision on the agreement’s expansion at a later stage.

“At this stage, there are no discussions regarding the expansion of the Makkah agreement,” he said.

He said information on future meetings will be shared “on an ongoing basis”, adding that exact timing was not yet known.

Khan said the pact was in the initial stage of formation and detailed consultations on “its structure, procedures and other matters” will be held.
“Significant work lies ahead to finalise the organisation’s structure, mechanisms, and procedures,” he said, adding that any future developments will become clear in due course.

The defence pact, signed on Aug 7, aims to strengthen collective deterrence and empower its signatory states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them.

Its inaugural meeting was held on August 31 in Istanbul, where it was decided that a secretariat headed by a secretary general will be established in Saudi Arabia to support the alliance’s work under the agreement. The secretariat will initially be headed by a secretary general from Pakistan for a period of three years.

The Makkah Defence Agreement was signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on August 7, establishing a trilateral framework for defence cooperation and collective deterrence. Under the agreement, an attack against any one of the three signatories would be treated as an attack against all, signalling a commitment to strengthen their collective security capabilities.

The alliance held its inaugural meeting in Istanbul on August 31, where the three countries agreed to establish a permanent secretariat in Saudi Arabia headed by a secretary general. Pakistan will provide the first secretary general, who will serve for a three-year term. The meeting also initiated consultations on the alliance’s organisational structure, mechanisms and procedures.

The pact has been described by the three countries as a defensive arrangement aimed at strengthening regional security through deterrence. While the agreement could eventually be opened to other countries that share similar strategic perspectives, Pakistan has said that expansion is not currently under discussion, with the three founding members first seeking to consolidate the alliance and develop its institutional framework.