Pakistan will serve as the first Secretary General of the Makkah Defence Pact for a three-year term [1].
The agreement establishes a formal military and strategic framework between three major regional powers, signaling a shift toward deeper collective security coordination in the Islamic world.
Signed on Aug. 7, 2026 [2], the pact creates a trilateral alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey [3]. The agreement includes the formation of a joint secretariat, which will be headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia [4].
The first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee took place on Aug. 12, 2026, in Istanbul, Turkey [4]. This inaugural session focused on the operationalization of the pact and the coordination of the three member states [4]. To mark the occasion, flag-raising celebrations were held in Islamabad, Pakistan [5].
Officials said the alliance is a purely defensive arrangement [6]. The pact is intended to enhance strategic coordination and collective security among the three nations [6]. Furthermore, the member states said the alliance remains open to other countries that uphold its core principles [6].
Under the current structure, the Secretary General will oversee the secretariat's activities for three years [1]. This role is designed to synchronize the defence policies of the three signatories and manage the administrative functions of the Riyadh-based office [1].
The Makkah Defence Pact represents a formalized commitment to mutual security, moving beyond the bilateral military cooperation that has historically defined the relationships between these nations [3].
“Pakistan will serve as the first Secretary General of the Makkah Defence Pact for a three-year term.”
The creation of the Makkah Defence Pact suggests an effort by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey to create a regional security architecture independent of Western-led alliances. By establishing a permanent secretariat in Riyadh and appointing a Secretary General, the three nations are transitioning from ad hoc military cooperation to a structured institutional framework, potentially increasing their collective leverage in geopolitical disputes.
