Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has congratulated the nation on the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, according to state broadcaster radio.gov.pk.
The agreement, signed among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, was announced on Monday, August 10, 2026. Dar's remarks were reported by radio.gov.pk, which did not provide further details on the ceremony or the pact's specific provisions.
The defence pact has drawn reactions from regional powers. Reuters reports that Iran sees no reason to fear the trilateral security arrangement. Separately, Dawn quotes Iranian officials as suggesting the deal reflects a "change in perception" towards the United States among the signatories.
The agreement has also been analysed in terms of its geopolitical impact. The Times of India characterises the pact as a setback for India and a warning for China, given the strategic alignment of the three Muslim-majority nations. Al Jazeera has raised the question of which other countries might eventually join the Turkiye-Saudi-Pakistan defence pact, indicating that the arrangement could be open to expansion.
The signing marks a notable step in defence cooperation between Islamabad, Riyadh, and Ankara. The three countries have previously collaborated on defence and security issues, but this formal joint agreement signals a deeper institutional commitment.
Observers will be watching for two things: whether Iran's public reassurances hold as the pact's operational details emerge, and whether additional nations seek to join the framework in the coming months.
