Pak-Saudi-Turkiye defence pact ‘entirely for defensive purposes’, not aggression

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has affirmed that the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey is solely for defensive purposes, not aggression. The pact, signed on August 7, aims to bolster collective deterrence among the signatory states.

Speaking to the federal cabinet, Sharif recalled signing the agreement in Makkah with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He emphasized that the pact's objective is to foster peace, progress, and prosperity within the region. "Its purpose is definitely not that any aggression occurs. It is entirely for defensive purposes, for peace, tranquillity and progress in the region," Sharif stated.

The agreement stipulates that an attack against one member state will be considered an attack against all. This builds upon existing defense arrangements, including a "Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement" between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia from September 2025 and long-standing arrangements between Pakistan and Turkey. Sharif also noted Pakistan's historical honor in defending Makkah and Madina alongside Saudi forces, with Friday's trilateral agreement representing an extension of these ties.

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Its purpose is definitely not that any aggression occurs. It is entirely for defensive purposes, for peace, tranquillity and progress in the region