Makkah Accord ‘purely defensive in nature’: Dar

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has said that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is “purely defensive in nature” and it is “not targeted against any country.”

“The Makkah Accord is purely defensive in nature. It is not targeted against any country and its sole purpose is to further strengthen our ongoing efforts towards peace, stability and prosperity in the wider region,” the DPM wrote in a detailed post on X on Sunday.

The statement came two days after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye jointly signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which, according to the DPM, reflected the “depth of the brotherly relations between the leadership and peoples of the three countries.”

READ MORE: Agreement to strengthen collective defence, military cooperation: FO

Earlier, on Friday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan came together in Makkah to sign in Makkah the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said, intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and stipulated that any armed attack against any one of the three states “shall be regarded as an attack against them all.” The agreement further provided for the enhancement of all aspects of defence cooperation among the three states, the FO said in a statement issued after the agreement was signed.

Moreover, Dar, in Sunday’s X post said, the Makkah Accord does not abrogate or replace any existing bilateral or multilateral agreements between these countries, or with other countries or organisations.

“The Makkah Accord is the culmination of years of discussions and coordination, with a common desire to strengthen strategic cooperation in addressing multifarious peace and security challenges and advancing regional peace, stability and prosperity,” stated the DPM, who also holds the position of Foreign Minister.

“Any external armed attack on any one of the three countries will be considered as an attack on all, consistent with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence under Article 51 of the UN (United Nations) Charter,” Dar stated. The Makkah Accord remains open to any country in the region willing to uphold its fundamental principles and resolve differences through mutual respect, cooperation and peaceful means, he further wrote. “The Makkah Accord is consistent with the fundamental pillars of our foreign policy, Pakistan looks forward to continuing to work closely with all brotherly countries in the region towards lasting peace and stability. We remain committed to advancing the cause of peaceful resolution of all conflicts and building a more secure, stable and prosperous future for our peoples,” Dar concluded.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026