After the signing: Pakistan - "The alliance is not against any country"
The agreement signed in Mecca between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan includes a mutual defense clause. Pakistan emphasizes that the pact is purely defensive and remains open to other nations.
Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, stated on Sunday that the new defense agreement signed between his country, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey is not directed against any nation and remains open for the accession of other regional states, according to the AP news agency.
The agreement, known as the "Mecca Joint Defense Pact," was signed on Friday by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, against the backdrop of rising tensions between the USA and Iran.
Dar clarified that the agreement is "defensive in nature only" and added that other countries may join if they are prepared to respect its principles and resolve disputes through peaceful means. He noted that the pact reflects a shared desire to strengthen strategic security cooperation.
These remarks followed a statement by Turkey's Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, who also declared that the agreement is not directed against Iran or any other country.
According to the text of the agreement, "any armed attack against one of the three countries will be considered an attack against all of them." Dar noted that this clause is consistent with the right to individual and collective self-defense enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.
He further emphasized:
"The Mecca Agreement does not cancel or replace existing agreements between these countries, or with other nations and organizations."
Dar's remarks came after public celebrations held overnight between Saturday and Sunday, during which landmark sites in Islamabad and cities across Saudi Arabia were illuminated in the colors of the three nations' flags.
The three countries bring distinct capabilities to the arrangement: Pakistan possesses extensive military experience and is the only Muslim nation with nuclear weapons; Saudi Arabia contributes economic power and regional influence; and Turkey, a NATO member, provides a large army and an advanced, developing defense industry.
However, security analysts in Islamabad have warned against comparing the agreement to NATO. Abdullah Khan, a local security expert, stated that although the agreement was signed during a period of regional tension, it should not be interpreted as a move directed against Iran or any other country.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained close military ties for decades and signed a separate mutual defense agreement in September 2025. Military and industrial cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey has also expanded significantly in recent years.
