Islamabad, 24 October. Pakistan has completed ratification of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed in August with Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia has also completed its ratification, a Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman said.
"Matters related to the agreement, its ratification, and operationalization remain under discussion by the three parties including in the Strategic Political and Defense Committee whose recent meeting was held on 5 October," spokesman Khan said. He said each country follows its own constitutional procedures to approve international agreements.
Islamabad, the diplomat said, "remains fully committed to the letter and spirit of the agreement, which is defensive in nature, consistent with the UN Charter, and aimed at promoting regional peace, security and stability." The agreement provides for collective deterrence and defence of the three countries.
The Mecca agreement was signed on 7 August by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. Türkiye submitted the agreement to parliament this week; whether the Turkish parliament has ratified it is not yet known.
What it means: Two of the three parties to the defence pact have ratified it; Türkiye is next. The pact brings together a nuclear power (Pakistan), a NATO member (Türkiye) and a major oil exporter (Saudi Arabia).
Who benefits: The three countries gain mutual security guarantees in a region where war with Iran is under way. Saudi Arabia gains extra protection amid Houthi strikes.
Background: To implement the agreement, the three countries set up a Strategic Political and Defence Committee; its most recent meeting was held on 5 October.
List of sources used: Anadolu
Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this material.
