Pakistan Says, More Than Six Countries Want to Join Makkah Defence Pact

Pakistan – (Staff  Reporter/Web Desk) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has confirmed that more than six countries want to join the Makkah defence pact. He shared this news on Friday while speaking at a press conference in Islamabad.

Dar once again made it clear that the pact is for defence only. He said it is not meant for any attack or offensive action.

In simple words, the members promise to stand together if any one of them faces an attack. Dar said the interest from other countries shows growing attention to the alliance.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7. A few weeks later, Yemen’s Houthis launched attacks on Saudi Arabia.

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The deal works like Article 5 of NATO. If one of the three countries is attacked, the other two will treat it as an attack on all of them. The agreement was later named the Makkah Defence Alliance.

First meeting and headquarters

Dar said the first meeting under the agreement took place on August 31. The headquarters of the alliance will be set up in Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan has also named retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood as the first secretary general of the alliance. Dar described him as a “very good and pious officer.”

Dar said an emergency meeting will be held next week. Members will review the latest situation in Saudi Arabia. He added that the kingdom has faced 17 to 18 attacks so far.

The attacks have made the matter more urgent. Dar said Pakistan has a duty under the agreement, which is why the meeting matters.

“We are bound to defend Saudi Arabia,” Dar said. He pointed out that the UN Charter also allows such alliances to take action. He added that NATO works on a similar principle.

Dar also spoke about the Strait of Hormuz. In his view, ships should not have to pay any fee or service charge to cross this important waterway.

The strait is a key sea route, and any charge on passing through it can affect many countries.

He said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi both want the issue to end “somehow.” According to Dar, every side is trying to get the most out of the situation.

Message to Afghanistan

Turning to Afghanistan, Dar said Pakistan has good wishes for its neighbour. However, he said Kabul must make sure that its soil is not used against Pakistan.

He said Afghanistan has to show that action has been taken against the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, the Balochistan Liberation Army and Fitna al-Hindustan.

The border with Afghanistan has been closed since October. Dar said Pakistan knows that crops have been destroyed because of the closure.

With so many countries showing interest, the Makkah defence pact is likely to stay in the news. All eyes will now be on the emergency meeting planned for next week. More details are expected once members share the outcome.