- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye have signed a mutual defense pact known as the Makkah Accord.
- Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated the agreement is 'purely defensive in nature' and open to other countries willing to uphold its principles.
- Dar clarified that the Makkah Accord does not abrogate or replace any existing bilateral or multilateral agreements.
- The agreement stipulates that any armed attack against one of the three states is regarded as an attack against all, consistent with Article 51 of the U.N. Charter.
- The three countries bring differing capabilities: Pakistan is the Muslim world’s only nuclear-armed country, Saudi Arabia brings economic resources and regional influence, and Turkiye has a large military and sophisticated defence industry.
- Defence analysts cautioned against viewing the agreement as equivalent to NATO, despite its collective-defence provision.
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that the newly signed Mecca Joint Defence Agreement is "purely defensive in nature" and allows for the inclusion of other nations willing to uphold its principles. The pact, signed on August 7, 2026, by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aims to bolster security cooperation amid rising tensions in the region, particularly between the United States and Iran.26
The agreement includes a collective defense clause stating that any armed attack against one of the three nations will be considered an attack against all. This provision aligns with the right of self-defense under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter. Dar emphasized that the Makkah Accord does not replace any existing bilateral or multilateral agreements, ensuring continuity in current international relations.1345
The three nations bring unique strengths to the agreement: Pakistan's military experience and nuclear capabilities, Saudi Arabia's economic resources, and Turkiye's large military and advanced defense industry. Despite the collective defense aspect, analysts in Islamabad caution against equating this pact with NATO, asserting it is not aimed at any specific country, including Iran. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a long history of military cooperation, having signed a mutual-defense agreement in September 2025, while their ties with Turkiye have also strengthened in recent years.78
“The pact stipulates that an armed attack on one is an attack on all, citing Article 51 of the U.N. Charter. Analysts caution it is not NATO, and Pakistan brings nuclear capability while Turkiye contributes a sophisticated defense industry.”
