Islamabad, Pakistan — Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has clarified that the newly signed Makkah Joint Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye is purely defensive and does not replace existing bilateral defense arrangements. The pact, signed in Saudi Arabia on Friday, includes a collective defense clause, meaning an attack on one party would be considered an attack on all. Dar emphasized that the agreement aligns with Pakistan’s foreign policy and remains open to other regional countries willing to uphold its principles (arabnews.pk).
Defense analysts in Islamabad have cautioned against equating the pact to NATO, despite its collective-defense provision. While the agreement strengthens regional security cooperation, it does not imply a military alliance or a shift in Pakistan’s strategic orientation. Dar reiterated that the pact is not a replacement for existing agreements but a complementary measure to enhance mutual defense capabilities (nbcnews.com).
The Deputy Prime Minister also highlighted that the Makkah pact could be expanded to include other countries in the region, provided they adhere to the agreement’s fundamental principles. This openness reflects Pakistan’s desire to foster broader regional security collaboration without compromising its sovereignty or existing diplomatic ties (dawn.com).
