Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye to hold first defence pact meeting in Istanbul on Monday

Read:What the Makkah Pact really signals“International security issues will be on the agenda,” the source said, adding that discussions were expected to cover enhancing defence capabilities, greater interoperability among their armed forces and deepening cooperation in the defence industry, including joint production and development.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Istanbul for the talks and other official engagements after concluding his visit to the UK.Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar@MIshaq. Dar50arrived in Istanbul, Türkiye today for official engagements.

He was received by Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration Brig. Gen. Şenol Varol, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Türkiye Dr. Yousaf Junaid,…pic.twitter.com/nT6AWjy1dR— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@Foreign. Office.

Pk)August 30, 2026Upon his arrival, FM Dar was received by Turkiye’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Administrative Affairs Brig Gen Şenol Varol, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye Dr Yousuf Junaid, Turkish Foreign Ministry Ambassador Cihad Erginay and other senior Turkish officials. After arriving in Istanbul, FM Dar visited the shrine of Hazrat Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari and offered Fateha.

Upon arrival in Istanbul, Türkiye, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar@MIshaq. Dar50visited the sacred shrine of Hazrat Abu Ayyub Ansari (RA) to pay his respects and offered prayers for peace and prosperity of Pakistan and its people, as well as for…pic.twitter.com/Cszw.

Ajvz. Uc— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@Foreign. Office.

Pk)August 30, 2026He prayed for the security, peace and prosperity of Pakistan and its people, and also offered special prayers for the unity of the Muslim Ummah. During his official visit to Turkiye, FM Dar will participate in the meeting on the defence pact and hold other important meetings and attend official engagements.

The “Mecca Joint Defence Agreement”, signed on Aug 7, brought together the three Muslim US allies amid regional turmoil and the Iran war, which has led to Iranian missile fire on Gulf oil exporters.

The three nations share concerns about the military stances of Israel and revolutionary Shi'ite Iran, as long-time ally the US struggles to ​contain regional upheaval ​that has caused ⁠a global energy crisis. Also Read:Bangladesh interested in joining Makkah Defense pact.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said a defence pact signed between the three countries was technically the same as Nato’s Article 5 mutual defence agreement, while clarifying that it was not aimed at Iran. The significance of the pact can be gauged from the fact that several other countries have also expressed their willingness to join it.

Two days after the agreement was signed, Fidan said Egypt was among the potential candidates to join the pact, adding that President Tayyip Erdogan wanted to see the alliance expand.

Earlier this week, Bangladesh also expressed its willingness to join the pact, with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman telling parliament that the country would “positively” consider an invitation from the founding members of the Makkah pact to join the alliance.