Pakistan finalizes vote on Mecca defense pact
Islamabad completed ratification procedures on Friday, leaving Turkey as the only signatory yet to finish its domestic approval steps.
By Noah Rao ·
Pakistan completed its ratification of a tri-nation defense agreement with Turkey and Saudi Arabia on Friday. Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan confirmed that Islamabad and Riyadh have both finished their respective legal procedures. The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement was signed by the three nations on 7 August.
The pact establishes a framework for collective defense if any of the three states faces an external armed attack. The specific nature and level of assistance will be determined based on the circumstances of the conflict. Pakistan has characterized the deal as defensive and consistent with the United Nations Charter.
The agreement was signed in Mecca by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have cleared their final hurdles, Turkey continues to process its domestic approval. Consequently, the treaty is not yet fully ratified by all three signatories.
Implementation efforts accelerated following a 5 October meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee. The group agreed that military forces should be deployed rapidly to Saudi Arabia if needed, subject to each country's internal laws. The committee also called for the execution of collective defense commitments.
The move occurs as Saudi Arabia faces renewed security threats from Yemen's Houthis. Saudi Civil Defence issued warnings this week regarding potential danger in the southwestern cities of Abha and Khamis Mushait. Authorities later stated that the danger had passed but advised residents to avoid gathering or filming in the affected areas, according to Anadolu Agency.
These alerts coincided with Houthi missile and drone strikes on Saudi infrastructure. Reuters reported on 21 October that Riyadh's allies are primarily providing defensive support to the kingdom. The regional tension has prompted broader military preparations across the area.
The Israeli military announced large-scale exercises for Sunday and Monday in the north and center of the country. The drills will involve air force units and ground forces from the Northern and Central Commands. The military stated the maneuvers aim to test readiness for multi-front defense and potential border escalation. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States might launch another military operation against Iran as the conflict approaches its eighth month.
Source: Middle East Eye
