ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that the purpose of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement was to promote peace, development, and prosperity in the region as Islamabad continued celebrations for a second consecutive day after the signing of the landmark pact among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye.
While addressing the Federal Cabinet in Islamabad, the prime minister said arrangements between Pakistan and Türkiye had long existed for decades.
“Allah Almighty granted the honor of the defense of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan to join forces with the Saudi army to protect the holiest places of the world, such as Makkah and Madinah,” said the prime minister.
PM Sharif further added that “last year, we made an official arrangement so that a proper agreement was signed.”
“The purpose of this agreement is to promote peace, development and prosperity in the region,” he added.
“The purpose of this agreement is not to create aggression. It is entirely for defense purposes, for peace, tranquillity and progress in the region.”
PM Sharif highlighted that the defense pact was not only "beneficial and powerful" to the three countries, but for the entire Muslim Ummah.
He also congratulated the Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for signing this agreement.
The remarks by PM Sharif came as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefed foreign counterparts on the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement.
On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received a call from Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, congratulating him on the signing of the joint defense agreement, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Monday.
Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to promoting dialogue and diplomacy to help achieve peace and stability in the region and beyond, according to the statement.
Earlier, according to the Foreign Office, Dar spoke separately with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and former Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.
During his conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Dar shared “the essence of the agreement” and the joint resolve of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye to contribute to regional peace, stability and security.
The two ministers also discussed the evolving situation in the US-Iran context and the situation in Occupied East Jerusalem, including the recent Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem held in Jordan.
Dar also briefed Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on the agreement, with the Kuwaiti foreign minister felicitating him on its signing.
The two sides also exchanged views on the regional situation, including Occupied East Jerusalem, as well as Pakistan-Kuwait bilateral relations and ways to further enhance cooperation and investment in key sectors.
Dar separately shared with President Tshisekedi and former Guinea-Bissau President Embaló the contours of the recently signed agreement and its significance for strengthening strategic cooperation and contributing to regional peace, stability and security.
Dar and President Tshisekedi also discussed Pakistan-DRC relations and agreed on the importance of further strengthening bilateral cooperation, including through high-level exchanges.
Bahrain foreign minister congratulates Dar on the defense pact
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received a call from Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, congratulating him on the signing of the joint defense agreement, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Monday.
Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to promoting dialogue and diplomacy to help achieve peace and stability in the region and beyond, according to the statement.
Iran says pact a positive development
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said Monday that a trilateral defense pact among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye poses no threat to Tehran.
"There is absolutely no reason for us to feel worried about this agreement or to fear that it might be directed against Iran," Esmail Baghaei said at a weekly press conference.
The Iranian spokesperson noted Tehran's ties to all three nations. "We have excellent, deep-rooted religious, historical, cultural, and civilizational relations with all three of these neighboring and brotherly nations," he said.
Baghaei characterized the development as positive, stating that the arrangement reflects a shift in how Middle Eastern countries view security.
He pointed to the Israeli siege of Gaza and military operations in Lebanon as evidence that regional countries need independent security arrangements.
"The countries of this region have reached the point of understanding that stability, security, and cooperation among regional nations are the most important things," Baghaei said.
Nation celebrates
The diplomatic engagement came as Pakistan continued celebrations marking the signing of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, with Islamabad lit up in the colors of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Large gatherings were held in the capital, with fireworks drawing crowds and residents expressing support for the trilateral agreement.
A young Islamabad resident described the agreement as a “very good decision” by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, saying people had gathered to share in the celebrations.
Another resident said the agreement was creating “positive vibes” by promoting greater unity among Muslim countries and stressed that such unity “must be maintained.”
A Palestinian student in Islamabad also welcomed greater cooperation among Islamic countries, describing the development as positive.
The celebrations were also marked by public displays of the flags of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye and slogans highlighting unity among the three countries.
The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement was signed in Makkah last week by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The agreement stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all three and provides for enhanced defense cooperation and collective deterrence.
Pakistan's senior leadership has welcomed the agreement, emphasizing its defensive nature and its objective of strengthening regional peace, security and stability.
Dar said the accord “is purely defensive in nature” and “is not targeted against any country.”
He also clarified that the agreement does not abrogate or replace any existing bilateral or multilateral agreements involving the three countries or other states and organizations.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the agreement was being celebrated across Pakistan, describing it as a source of “great pride” for Pakistan and the wider Muslim world.
In a video message, Tarar said: “The Makkah Defense Agreement that has been signed is not only a matter of great pride for the people of Pakistan but also for the entire Muslim Ummah.”
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal described the agreement as another “historic success” for Pakistan, stressing that it was “not against anyone” and would contribute to regional peace.
“This defense agreement among the three countries is not against anyone; rather, it will guarantee peace in the region,” Iqbal said.
The Makkah agreement builds on the existing defense relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The two countries signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement in September 2025, under which aggression against either country was to be considered aggression against both.
The new trilateral agreement expands that framework to include Türkiye, while Islamabad has emphasized that it complements rather than replaces the countries' existing bilateral and multilateral arrangements.