Asim Munir meets Turkish defense minister ahead of first Makkah pact meeting

Pakistan’s top military officer met Turkey’s defense minister in Istanbul ahead of the first ministerial gathering created by the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir met Yaşar Güler on Monday. Turkey’s Defense Ministry shared video of the meeting on X. Güler also held separate talks with Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, attended by Turkey’s Chief of General Staff, General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu.

According to Radio Pakistan, Asif and Turkish leaders agreed to strengthen joint defense cooperation in the region. The talks preceded the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee, established under the agreement between Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the country would be represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Asif and Munir. It described Pakistan’s participation as reflecting its longstanding ties with Turkiye and Saudi Arabia and its stated interest in lasting regional peace and stability.

The first ministerial meeting since the pact was signed is expected to address defense capabilities, military interoperability and cooperation in the defense industry. Turkish broadcaster TRT reported that participants would also discuss a secretariat, other mechanisms and a roadmap for future actions. Signed on Aug. 7, the pact allows the three member states to treat an attack on one of them as an attack on all.

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Pakistan’s participation in the meeting signifies Pakistan’s historic bonds of friendship with the brotherly countries of Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, as well as its desire for lasting regional peace and stability.