Pakistan says new defense pact with Saudi and Turkey is ‘purely defensive’ and open to others
The pact pledges collective defense and remains open to other countries, Pakistani officials said, as regional tensions rise.
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement on Friday, stipulating "that any armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all."
- The three nations aim to deepen security cooperation by combining distinct strategic assets: Pakistan's nuclear-armed military experience, Saudi Arabia's economic resources, and Turkey's sophisticated domestic defense industry.
- Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated Sunday the pact is "purely defensive in nature" under the U.N. Charter, while Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed the agreement is not aimed at Iran.
- Overnight public celebrations followed the signing yesterday, with fireworks in Lahore and landmarks in Islamabad and Saudi cities illuminated in the three nations' flag colors.
- Islamabad-Based defense analyst Abdullah Khan cautioned against viewing the agreement as equivalent to NATO, noting its limited scope compared to formal military alliances despite its collective-defense provision.
94 Articles
94 Articles
History shows why the Makkah Agreement could fail
Time is a stern teacher of nations. It changes the character of alliances, reshapes national priorities and repeatedly reminds states that geography is destiny only when political wisdom knows how to use it. Countries may differ in ideology, resources and ambitions, yet history repeatedly brings them to the same conclusion: In an uncertain world, security […] The post History shows why the Makkah Agreement could fail appeared first on Asia Times.
Makkah agreement purely defensive, designed to ensure regional peace: PM
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye was entirely defensive in nature and aimed at promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region. Addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet in Islamabad, the prime minister said the agreement was not intended to facilitate aggression against any country. “Its purpose is definitely not that any aggressi…
Fearing Iran, Saudi Arabia Looks To Draw Turkey and Nuclear-Armed Pakistan Closer
Last Friday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed a joint defense agreement in Mecca. Commentary has split over whether it represents a serious military commitment or a mere symbolic gesture. The short answer is: It is more serious than many think, for the coming months at least, but unlikely to harden into a durable NATO-like alliance. The context of th…
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