DG ISPR Clarifies Makkah Defence Pact Has ‘No Regional Aspirations’

Pakistan’s military spokesperson has affirmed that the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye is purely defensive, aimed at collective deterrence rather than regional escalation.

Following the interception of a Houthi drone near Makkah, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has clarified the operational scope of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. Signed on August 7, 2026, the pact formalizes a collective defence framework between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye.

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The DG ISPR stated that the agreement has “no regional aspirations” and operates exclusively for collective deterrence. He emphasized that Pakistan’s primary objective remains promoting regional stability and preventing the expansion of existing Middle Eastern conflicts. According to the military spokesperson, in the event of an attack on any member state, the response would be determined by their respective leaderships, though operational details remain classified.

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The clarification comes as the trilateral alliance holds its inaugural secretariat meetings in Istanbul, with Pakistan initially heading the organization for three years. While Turkiye has suggested expanding the pact to include other nations like Egypt, Pakistan’s Foreign Office noted that the priority is solidifying the current framework before considering expansion.

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