ISTANBUL — The first session of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee, created under the newly signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, convenes Monday in Istanbul, bringing together senior civilian and military leaders from Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia for a landmark trilateral security dialogue.
Pakistan’s delegation is led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Their counterparts from Türkiye and Saudi Arabia — including foreign ministers, defence ministers, and chiefs of general staff — are also attending the closed-door meeting, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A New Framework for Regional Stability
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed earlier this month, establishes a formal mechanism for the three Muslim-majority nations to coordinate on strategic and defence matters. Monday’s committee meeting marks the first operational test of that framework, with agenda items expected to cover regional security threats, joint military planning, and intelligence sharing.
“Pakistan’s participation reflects its historic bonds of friendship with the brotherly countries of Türkiye and Saudi Arabia and its desire for lasting regional peace and stability,” a foreign ministry statement said.
Field Marshal Munir Arrives for Bilateral Engagements
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir arrived in Türkiye ahead of the trilateral meeting, with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirming the visit aims to “further strengthen defence and strategic cooperation between Pakistan and Türkiye.”
During his stay, Munir is expected to hold separate meetings with Turkish political and military leadership to discuss bilateral defence ties, regional security, and mutual interests. The visit comes at a time of shifting alliances and heightened security concerns across the Middle East and South Asia.
Deepening Trilateral Coordination
The Istanbul gathering underscores a broader trend toward multilateral defence cooperation among Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia, which have historically maintained close military and diplomatic ties. Analysts view the Makkah Accord as a response to evolving threats, including maritime security risks, proxy conflicts, and the need for coordinated crisis response.
No public communiqué is expected immediately following Monday’s session, but officials from all three sides have signaled that follow-up meetings will be scheduled to implement specific provisions of the agreement.
- Key participants: Foreign ministers, defence ministers, and military chiefs from Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia.
- Agreement basis: Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed earlier this month.
- Primary focus: Regional security coordination, defence cooperation, and strategic alignment.
- Bilateral angle: Field Marshal Munir’s separate talks with Turkish leadership on Pakistan-Türkiye defence ties.
