More Than Six Countries Interested in Joining Makkah Joint Defence Pact, Says Pakistan

More than six countries have expressed interest in joining the Makkah Joint Defence Pact, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday. However, he did not disclose the names of the countries considering membership.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Dar said the newly established defence arrangement is purely defensive in nature and has no offensive objectives, according to Pakistan's Geo News.

"The Makkah Defence Pact is a defensive alliance. It is not intended for aggression," Dar said, adding that the alliance held its first meeting on August 31 and that its headquarters will be established in Saudi Arabia.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Pact on August 7. Under the agreement, an attack on any one of the three member states will be regarded as an attack on all members, a provision that has drawn comparisons with Article 5 of the NATO Treaty.

Dar also announced that an emergency meeting of the alliance would be held next week to review the recent security situation in Saudi Arabia. He claimed that the Kingdom had already been targeted in 17 to 18 attacks.

"We are committed to defending Saudi Arabia," Dar said, arguing that the United Nations Charter permits such collective defence arrangements. He cited NATO as an example of a similar security framework.

The Pakistani foreign minister also announced that Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Nauman Mahmood has been appointed as the first Secretary-General of the Makkah Defence Pact, describing him as "a highly capable and deeply religious officer."

During the press conference, Dar also addressed the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, saying that no fees or service charges should be imposed on vessels transiting the strategically important waterway.

On Afghanistan, Dar reiterated Pakistan's support for its neighbour but stressed that Kabul must ensure its territory is not used for attacks against Pakistan.

He also said Afghanistan must demonstrate concrete action against militant groups, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Fitna al-Hindustan, which Islamabad accuses of threatening Pakistan's security.