Makkah defence pact with Saudi Arabia Turkiye not directed against any country Pak Deputy PM Dar

Islamabad, Nov 10 (PTI) Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday said the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye was not directed against any country and was intended to promote regional stability.

     Addressing the inaugural session of the Margalla Dialogue 2026, organised by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute, Dar, who is also Pakistan's foreign minister, said the agreement reflected Islamabad's commitment to collective security and credible deterrence.

     The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement – signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on August 7 – stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be regarded as an attack against all three, while providing for closer defence cooperation.

     The pact triggered speculation that it could be aimed at a particular regional adversary, particularly Iran, amid heightened tensions in West Asia. Speculation was fuelled by repeated attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia, including missile and drone strikes targeting its territory and critical infrastructure.

     "It is a defensive arrangement, directed against no country, and intended to contribute to regional stability," Dar said, referring to the trilateral defence pact.

     Speaking on the theme, "Global Order in Transition: Navigating Strategic Uncertainty", Dar called for an equitable, representative and rules-based multipolar world order.

     Dar said Pakistan was pursuing a balanced foreign policy through strategic partnerships and constructive engagement with countries across the world, including China, the US, Iran, Gulf states, Europe and Central Asia.

     "The answer lies in strength at home and effective diplomacy abroad, both serving one purpose: the security and prosperity of our people," he said.

     Referring to last year's four-day military conflict with India, Dar said unresolved disputes and unilateral actions continued to threaten regional stability. "We will defend our sovereignty with determination and pursue peace with equal commitment," he said.

     In May 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.

     Dar also said resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions was essential for lasting regional peace.

     New Delhi maintains that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India and that any matter relating to the region is an internal affair of the country.

     Dar identified growing geopolitical rivalries, the intersection of economics with strategic competition and rapid technological advances as major forces reshaping the international order.

     Referring to international conflicts, he cited Palestine as an example of the consequences of impunity, pointing to the suffering in Gaza, continued occupation and expansion of illegal settlements.

     Highlighting Pakistan's regional diplomatic role in West Asia, Dar said Islamabad had facilitated talks between the US and Iran in April, while the subsequent Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) provided a basis for further negotiations.

     Dar credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army chief Munir and the foreign office with remaining actively engaged in diplomatic efforts.

     The MoU was signed by the US and Iran on June 17, following months of hostilities that began on February 28. It envisaged an end to military operations, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and the lifting of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports. It also provided for negotiations towards a comprehensive agreement, including on Iran's nuclear programme.

     However, the arrangement unravelled within weeks amid disagreements over the interpretation of its provisions, particularly the control of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief and the US naval blockade. The two sides also failed to resolve differences over Iran's nuclear programme, and the 60-day window for negotiations towards a final settlement expired without a deal.

     Pakistan has continued efforts to revive negotiations. Army chief Munir visited Tehran last month and held talks with Iranian leaders on regional developments and mediation efforts. Iran, however, has indicated that it would not resume negotiations with Washington until its demands, including the lifting of the US blockade and sanctions, were addressed.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)