Pakistan at the Helm of the Makkah Defence Alliance -

By Junaid Qaiser
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have agreed to further institutionalise their cooperation under the Makkah Agreement to strengthen collective deterrence and defence, with the alliance’s secretariat to be initially headed by Pakistan for three years, according to the Foreign Office. The decision was taken at the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee of the Makkah Agreement held in Istanbul.
Foreign and defence ministers of the three countries, along with senior military leadership, gathered at the historic Ciragan Palace to discuss the next phase of cooperation under the agreement signed in Makkah last month. Pakistan was represented by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
While the signing of the Makkah Agreement on August 7 attracted considerable international attention, the developments in Istanbul may prove even more significant. Agreements often generate headlines when they are signed, but their true importance is measured by how they are implemented. The Istanbul meeting demonstrated that the three countries are moving beyond symbolism and are now laying the foundations of a permanent institutional framework.
The decision to establish a secretariat in Saudi Arabia, headed initially by a Pakistani secretary general for three years, is particularly noteworthy. It reflects the confidence that both Riyadh and Ankara place in Pakistan’s diplomatic and military capabilities. More importantly, it places Pakistan at the centre of one of the most ambitious regional security initiatives to emerge from the Muslim world in recent decades.
For Islamabad, this represents more than a ceremonial appointment. It is recognition of Pakistan’s growing role as both a security partner and a diplomatic stakeholder in regional affairs. Pakistan’s military experience, especially in counterterrorism operations and strategic planning, has earned respect far beyond South Asia. Combined with its longstanding relationships across the Middle East, Pakistan is uniquely positioned to help shape the alliance’s early direction.
The decision also signals a broader shift in regional thinking. For decades, security in the Middle East was often viewed through the prism of external powers and competing international interests. Today, regional countries increasingly recognise that lasting stability requires regional ownership. The Makkah Defence Alliance appears to be an attempt to create precisely that kind of framework.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s announcement that the agreement will officially be known as the “Makkah Defence Alliance” adds another layer of significance.
Since the agreement was first announced, speculation has grown about possible future members. Egypt has frequently been mentioned as a potential participant, while some analysts have suggested that countries such as Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan and Azerbaijan may eventually consider closer engagement. Whether such expansion occurs remains uncertain, but the fact that the alliance has been designed with growth in mind indicates that its founders are thinking beyond a trilateral arrangement.
The regional environment helps explain this ambition. The Middle East continues to face a range of security challenges, from ongoing conflicts and proxy confrontations to threats against maritime trade routes and critical infrastructure. No single country can address these challenges alone. Greater coordination, intelligence sharing, joint exercises and defence-industrial cooperation are increasingly becoming necessities rather than options.
The Istanbul meeting addressed precisely these areas. The three countries agreed to strengthen defence capabilities through joint activities, technology development, defence production and enhanced military cooperation. Such initiatives may not generate the same headlines as a summit declaration, but they are often the building blocks of meaningful security partnerships.
The alliance’s emphasis on collective deterrence is also significant. The principle that an attack against one member would be regarded as an attack against all creates a framework intended to discourage aggression and reduce the likelihood of conflict. The objective is not confrontation but prevention. Effective deterrence has historically been one of the strongest guarantors of peace.
For Pakistan, participation in this process complements a broader foreign policy approach that combines security cooperation with diplomatic engagement. In recent years, Islamabad has sought to maintain constructive relations with a diverse range of regional and international actors while supporting efforts aimed at dialogue and de-escalation. The Foreign Office statement issued after the meeting reflected this outlook, emphasizing sustainable peace, restraint and the peaceful resolution of crises.
The presence of Field Marshal Asim Munir, alongside the foreign and defence ministers, further underscored the importance Islamabad attaches to the initiative. His meetings with Saudi and Turkish counterparts highlighted the practical dimension of the alliance, particularly in areas of military cooperation and strategic coordination.
What began as a trilateral defence agreement in Makkah is steadily evolving into a structured regional initiative. The establishment of a permanent secretariat, the appointment of a Pakistani secretary general and the launch of formal institutional mechanisms indicate that the alliance’s founders are serious about turning their vision into reality.
For Pakistan, the development represents both an opportunity and a responsibility. By leading the secretariat during its formative years, Islamabad will play a key role in shaping the alliance’s identity, priorities and effectiveness.