Dar briefs foreign counterparts as Pakistan celebrates Makkah defense pact

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has briefed foreign counterparts on the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement as Pakistan continued celebrations for a second consecutive day after the signing of the landmark pact among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye.

According to the Foreign Office, Dar spoke separately with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and former Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló.

During his conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Dar shared “the essence of the Agreement” and the joint resolve of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye to contribute to regional peace, stability and security.

The two ministers also discussed the evolving situation in the US-Iran context and the situation in Occupied East Jerusalem, including the recent Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem held in Jordan.

Dar also briefed Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on the agreement, with the Kuwaiti foreign minister felicitating him on its signing.

The two sides also exchanged views on the regional situation, including Occupied East Jerusalem, as well as Pakistan-Kuwait bilateral relations and ways to further enhance cooperation and investment in key sectors.

Dar separately shared with President Tshisekedi and former Guinea-Bissau President Embaló the contours of the recently signed agreement and its significance for strengthening strategic cooperation and contributing to regional peace, stability and security.

Dar and President Tshisekedi also discussed Pakistan-DRC relations and agreed on the importance of further strengthening bilateral cooperation, including through high-level exchanges.

Iran says pact a positive development
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday that a trilateral defense pact among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye poses no threat to Tehran.

"There is absolutely no reason for us to feel worried about this agreement or to fear that it might be directed against Iran," Esmail Baghaei said at a weekly press conference.

The Iranian spokesperson noted Tehran's ties to all three nations. "We have excellent, deep-rooted religious, historical, cultural, and civilizational relations with all three of these neighboring and brotherly nations," he said. 

Baghaei characterized the fact as a positive development, stating that the arrangement reflects a shift in how Middle Eastern countries view security. 

He pointed to Israeli siege of Gaza and military operations in Lebanon as evidence that regional countries need independent security arrangements. 

"The countries of this region have reached the point of understanding that stability, security, and cooperation among regional nations are the most important things," Baghaei said.

Nation celebrates

The diplomatic engagement came as Pakistan continued celebrations marking the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, with Islamabad lit up in the colours of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.

Large gatherings were held in the capital, with fireworks drawing crowds and residents expressing support for the trilateral agreement.

A young Islamabad resident described the agreement as a “very good decision” by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, saying people had gathered to share in the celebrations.

Another resident said the agreement was creating “positive vibes” by promoting greater unity among Muslim countries and stressed that such unity “must be maintained.”

A Palestinian student in Islamabad also welcomed greater cooperation among Islamic countries, describing the development as positive.

The celebrations were also marked by public displays of the flags of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye and slogans highlighting unity among the three countries.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed in Makkah last week by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The agreement stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all three and provides for enhanced defence cooperation and collective deterrence.

Pakistan's senior leadership has welcomed the agreement, emphasizing its defensive nature and its objective of strengthening regional peace, security and stability.

Dar said the accord “is purely defensive in nature” and “is not targeted against any country.” 

He also clarified that the agreement does not abrogate or replace any existing bilateral or multilateral agreements involving the three countries or other states and organizations.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the agreement was being celebrated across Pakistan, describing it as a source of “great pride” for Pakistan and the wider Muslim world.

In a video message, Tarar said: “The Makkah Defense Agreement that has been signed is not only a matter of great pride for the people of Pakistan but also for the entire Muslim Ummah.”

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal described the agreement as another “historic success” for Pakistan, stressing that it was “not against anyone” and would contribute to regional peace.

“This defense agreement among the three countries is not against anyone; rather, it will guarantee peace in the region,” Iqbal said.

The Makkah agreement builds on the existing defence relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The two countries signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement in September 2025, under which aggression against either country was to be considered aggression against both.

The new trilateral agreement expands that framework to include Türkiye, while Islamabad has emphasized that it complements rather than replaces the countries' existing bilateral and multilateral arrangements.