Makkah Defence Pact Has No Regional Aspirations, Says DG ISPR
ISLAMABAD: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has described the Makkah Defence Alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as a defensive arrangement focused on collective deterrence.
Speaking to Al Arabiya English’s Global News Today, Lt Gen Chaudhry said the agreement formalises Pakistan’s longstanding ties with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye in defence and collective deterrence. He stressed that the pact was not designed with aggressive or broader regional ambitions.
According to the military spokesperson, the agreement is intended to complement the three countries’ existing relationships with other nations and international alliances rather than compete with them. He also said the public text of the agreement establishes the mutual defence commitment, while operational details would remain confidential.
Pact Not Limited to Muslim Countries
Lt Gen Chaudhry said the alliance should not be viewed as an organisation exclusively for Muslim countries. He explained that any future expansion would depend on decisions by the leadership of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye and could involve countries sharing principles of regional peace, stability, non-interference and collective deterrence.
The agreement was signed on August 7, 2026. It provides that an armed attack on one member would be treated as an attack on all three. At an inaugural meeting in Istanbul on August 31, the countries agreed to establish the alliance’s secretariat, with Pakistan initially set to lead it for three years.
Pakistan’s Position on China and Regional Security
Asked whether the new arrangement could affect Pakistan’s relationship with China, the DG ISPR said the pact complements Islamabad’s existing ties with Beijing. He described Pakistan’s relationships with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as longstanding and said the three alliance members also maintain positive relations with China.
Pakistan’s Mediation Efforts
The interview also covered Pakistan’s efforts to encourage dialogue between the United States and Iran. Lt Gen Chaudhry said Islamabad’s position was not complicated by the defence agreement, describing Pakistan’s approach as focused on regional peace and stability.
He said Pakistan could contribute to mediation because it maintains relationships with different countries and supports a negotiated resolution. He added that any mediation effort should remain objective and focused on a peaceful outcome.
The remarks come as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye continue discussions on implementing the new defence framework and strengthening cooperation among the three countries.
