RAWALPINDI — Pakistan’s military has characterised the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement as a purely defensive arrangement with no element of aggression or interference, saying the pact signed with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye is not directed against any other country or alliance.
Inter Services Public Relations Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry made the remarks in an interview with Al Arabiya, according to Dunya News. He said the agreement was designed to strengthen collective deterrence among the three participating states.
Response Left to Political Leadership
The DG ISPR said that if any of the three members came under attack, the decision on how to respond would rest with the leadership of the participating countries. He added that the operational details of the Saudi Arabia-Türkiye-Pakistan defence commitments remained classified.
According to the military spokesperson, the pact formalises Pakistan’s longstanding relationships with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, ties that predate the agreement itself.
Significance Beyond the Signatories
Chaudhry said the arrangement carries significance beyond the three participating countries and could contribute to regional peace and security. He described Pakistan’s primary objective as promoting regional stability and preventing existing conflicts from spreading further.
He also pointed to Pakistan’s longstanding relations with both the United States and Iran, saying these ties placed Islamabad in a position to play a mediating role.
- Pakistan says it has no personal or vested objective in the dispute.
- Islamabad wants differences addressed through dialogue.
- The DG ISPR urged all sides to pursue a peaceful, dialogue-based solution.
- Countries willing to facilitate mediation should continue playing an impartial role.
Dialogue Over Confrontation
The DG ISPR stressed that efforts should focus on preventing a conflict from expanding rather than attempting to resolve it through air, land or maritime confrontation. He described negotiations as the path toward resolving disputes.
Chaudhry further indicated that the Makkah defence arrangement could expand to new partners, signaling that the framework may not remain limited to its three founding members.
