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

FO says DPM Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and CDF Munir to represent Pakistan at Makkah Accord meeting

The inaugural meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement will be held in Istanbul on Monday, with Pakistan represented by senior political and military officials, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said on Sunday.

According to a statement, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, would represent Pakistan at the meeting.

It said that the foreign and defence ministers and chiefs of general staff of Turkiye and Saudi Arabia would also attend the meeting.

“Pakistan’s participation in the meeting signifies Pakistan’s historic bonds of friendship with the brotherly countries of Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, as well as its desire for lasting regional peace and stability,” the statement concluded.

🔊PR No.2️⃣2️⃣9️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣

Curtain Raiser: Inaugural Meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee under the Makkah Agreement

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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 30, 2026

Earlier, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said that CDF Munir arrived in Turkiye on an official visit.

FM Dar has already arrived in Istanbul for the talks and other official engagements after concluding his visit to the UK.

Upon 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.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 arrived 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 (@ForeignOfficePk) August 30, 2026

He prayed for the security, peace and prosperity of Pakistan and its people, and also offered special prayers for the unity of the Muslim Ummah.

Read: What the Makkah Pact really signals

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.

Upon arrival in Istanbul, Türkiye, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 visited 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/CszwAjvzUc

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 30, 2026

Also Read: Bangladesh interested in joining Makkah Defense pact

"Makkah Joint Defence Agreement" was signed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence, held at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah.

The agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression and stipulates that an armed attack against any of the three would be regarded as an attack on all.

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.