Makkah Defence Agreement extension of Pak-Saudi bilateral defence pact: PM Shehbaz

Says the agreement 'entirely for defensive purposes', stressing that it is not intended for aggression Web Desk August 10, 2026 2 min read Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: APP/ File Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said the Makkah Defence Agreement was an extension of the bilateral defence pact signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia last year. “Last year, this arrangement was made official and a proper agreement was signed. The trilateral agreement signed this Friday is an extension of that agreement, and it aims to enhance regional stability, peace, and prosperity. It is not meant for aggression and is entirely for defensive purposes, for peace, tranquillity, and prosperity in the region. This pact is a source of pride and strength for the entire Muslim Ummah," said the prime minister while addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet. Last year, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark "Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement", declaring that "any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both". On August 7, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye formalised their longstanding strategic relationship through the newly signed "Makkah Joint Defence Agreement", a trilateral security framework that its proponents describe as a defensive arrangement aimed at strengthening collective deterrence, enhancing military cooperation and promoting regional stability. PM Shehbaz also extended his congratulations to Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir for his tireless efforts in securing this agreement, which have been ongoing for several years. "It is a profound honour for the Pakistan Armed Forces and the people of Pakistan to stand alongside Saudi forces in safeguarding the holy places of Makkah and Madinah," he added. The agreement, signed during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence, has prompted comparisons with military alliances such as NATO. However, according to security analysts, the pact is intended to formalise decades of existing strategic cooperation rather than create a new military bloc or offensive alliance. A formal framework for existing ties According to security analysts, the agreement represents the natural progression of longstanding political, military and strategic relations among the three countries. They note that Pakistan's ties with Turkiye date back to the Khilafat Movement, while Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained decades of defence, political, economic and diplomatic cooperation based on what they describe as mutual trust and shared strategic interests. Rather than establishing an entirely new partnership, analysts say the agreement provides a formal institutional framework for cooperation that has evolved over many years. Why now? Security analysts argue that the agreement reflects a rapidly changing regional security environment. They point to regional conflicts, evolving security threats and changes in the character of modern warfare as factors driving closer strategic coordination among countries that share common security interests. According to them, the trilateral framework is intended to preserve regional stability by strengthening collective security mechanisms instead of relying on ad hoc bilateral cooperation. What the agreement does At its core, the agreement establishes a framework based on the principles of collective security and collective deterrence. Security analysts say its central premise is that aggression against one member would be regarded as a threat to all three, thereby increasing the potential cost of military action and discouraging conflict through credible deterrence. The framework also envisages expanded defence cooperation, including closer military coordination, intelligence sharing, strategic consultations, defence planning and broader institutional cooperation between the three countries. According to analysts, pooling military capabilities and strategic coordination is intended to improve preparedness while reducing the likelihood of regional conflict. This story is being updated.