ISTANBUL: Top political and military leaders from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye convened in Istanbul on Monday to institutionalise their trilateral defence cooperation under the Makkah Agreement for Joint Defence, announcing the establishment of a permanent secretariat and pledging deeper military-industrial integration.
The meeting, held in the Strategic Political and Defence Committee format, was attended by the foreign ministers, defence ministers and chiefs of defence forces of the three nations. From Pakistan, Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (COAS & CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the meeting.
In a joint statement issued after the talks, the countries affirmed their shared commitment to regional stability and collective deterrence. “Acting with a sense of regional ownership, the three countries reiterate their determination to work together within the framework of the Makkah Agreement to achieve sustainable peace and stability in their region,” the statement read. The ministers further agreed to support de-escalation and restraint in regional crises, favouring peaceful diplomatic resolutions.
The most significant outcome of Monday’s meeting was the decision to establish a permanent secretariat to coordinate the alliance’s activities. The secretariat will be headquartered in Saudi Arabia and initially headed by a secretary general from Pakistan, who will serve a three-year term. The move is intended to “enhance their solidarity, ensure the credibility and effectiveness of their collective deterrence and defence, and contribute to regional efforts and cooperative security towards a just, inclusive and lasting peace,” according to the joint communiqué.
Beyond administrative institutionalisation, the three countries committed to expanding defence industry collaboration. The statement outlined plans for “joint technology development and production” and joint military activities aimed at strengthening the cohesion and interoperability of their armed forces.
The Makkah Agreement, originally signed as a framework for joint defence, has taken on renewed strategic significance amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East and South Asia. Monday’s announcement signals a transition from a declaratory pact to a functionally integrated mechanism, with concrete institutional and industrial dimensions.
The meeting in Istanbul concluded with a reaffirmation that the “institutionalised and resolute implementation” of the agreement would provide essential contributions to regional peace and stability.
Later, addressing a press conference following the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that the tripartite defence pact between Islamabad, Riyadh and Ankara has been renamed the “Makkah Defence Alliance”.
Previously, the tri-nation agreement had been named as the “Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.” The Turkish FM said that they were working on a roadmap for process of other countries to participate in the joint defence pact.
He said that the meeting aimed at promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity, adding that decisions taken at the meeting would yield meaningful results. The meeting will determine shared responsibilities in the backdrop of growing regional and global tensions, Fidan added.
He said that the meeting would also discuss global and regional security issues, strengthening the defence capabilities of the three countries and enhancing coordination among their armed forces.
Fidan said the pact aimed at strengthen joint defence capabilities and collective deterrence. He said the agenda will also include strengthening joint efforts against terrorism and reviewing cooperation in the defence industry, including joint production, research and development. Fidan emphasised that the alliance is not directed against any specific state and remains open to participation by friendly countries that adhere to the principles.
Meanwhile, DPM/ FM Dar hailed the inaugural meeting of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. In a message written on his official ‘X’ wall (erstwhile Twitter), the deputy prime minister wrote, “AlhamdoLilah, a great inaugural meeting today of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in Istanbul after signing of ‘Makkah Joint Defence Agreement’ on 7th August 2026 in Makkah Mukaramma.”
Separately, COAS & CDF Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, during his official visit to Türkiye, held a series of high-level engagements in Istanbul. The CDF separately met Saudi Arabia Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Türkiye Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and Chief of the Turkish General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu.
During the engagements, matters of mutual interest, bilateral defence cooperation and the regional security environment were discussed, the Inter Services Public Relations said in a statement.
The COAS & CDF also attended the meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee under the Makkah Agreement for Joint Defence, bringing together Pakistan, Türkiye and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The three sides reviewed avenues for further strengthening strategic coordination and defence cooperation, the ISPR statement said. The engagements reflected the close bonds of brotherhood and growing strategic and defence cooperation among Pakistan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and Türkiye have agreed to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation, particularly in the region. Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif held a meeting with Türkiye’s Minister of National Defence Yasar Güler. The meeting took place ahead of the inaugural session of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee. Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu was also present.
