The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has welcomed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, describing it as an important step towards strengthening regional security and cooperation.
Under the pact, the three countries have agreed to enhance collective deterrence and treat an armed attack against one member as an attack against all three.
In a statement on X, OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha expressed strong support for the agreement, saying it reflected the three countries’ commitment to greater regional and international cooperation.
He described the pact as a key pillar for promoting security and stability across the region and the Muslim world, adding that it demonstrated a shared commitment to addressing emerging security challenges and strengthening partnerships among OIC member states.
The agreement was signed on Friday during a trilateral summit in Makkah attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The leaders pledged to strengthen defence cooperation, collective security and efforts to promote peace and stability.
Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also attended the signing ceremony.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had previously signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in Riyadh in September 2025, under which an attack on either country would be considered an act of aggression against both.
Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly said the new trilateral agreement would not replace or supersede existing bilateral or multilateral agreements involving the three countries.
Turkish President Erdogan said the pact was not directed against any country and could remain open to other friendly nations committed to peace.
The agreement has also received support from Bahrain and Somalia. Bahrain described it as an addition to the region’s defence framework, while Somalia called it a milestone in strengthening collective security and defence cooperation.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also welcomed the agreement, calling it a significant development that would strengthen Pakistan’s defence capabilities and contribute to regional and global peace.
The pact comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following the US-Israel war on Iran. However, discussions on the trilateral defence arrangement had been underway for months before the conflict began.
