Special Correspondent: Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan have signed a landmark joint defence agreement aimed at strengthening collective security and deterrence against external aggression, according to a statement issued by the Government of Pakistan.

The agreement was signed during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence, held at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah on August 7. Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud hosted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the summit.

The meeting reviewed the longstanding relations among the three countries as well as a range of issues of mutual interest. The leaders also discussed their shared strategic interests and decades of defence cooperation.

The summit was held at the invitation of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The central feature of the agreement is a collective security commitment among the three countries.

Under the pact, an armed attack against any one of the three states will be regarded as an attack against all three. The provision is intended to strengthen collective deterrence and ensure that any potential aggression against one member carries wider strategic consequences.

The agreement also calls for enhanced cooperation in all areas of defence among Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.

The three leaders signed the agreement, describing it as a reflection of their shared commitment to strengthening collective security and promoting peace, stability and security in the region and beyond.

The agreement builds on historical and religious ties among the three predominantly Muslim countries. The Pakistani statement said their relationship is rooted in longstanding bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity, while also highlighting their common strategic interests.

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan have maintained close defence and diplomatic relations for decades, although their strategic priorities have sometimes differed. The new agreement signals an effort to give their defence cooperation a more structured and collective framework.

For Saudi Arabia, the pact comes as the kingdom continues to strengthen its strategic partnerships beyond its traditional security relationships. Türkiye, meanwhile, has emerged as an increasingly important defence partner in the Muslim world, with a growing defence industry and expanding military cooperation with several countries.

Pakistan has historically maintained close defence ties with Saudi Arabia and has also developed extensive military cooperation with Türkiye.

The new pact could have wider implications for security dynamics in the Middle East and South Asia.

By committing to collective deterrence, the three countries are seeking to reduce the risk of aggression and create a stronger security partnership. The agreement may also provide a platform for expanded military coordination, training, defence technology cooperation and strategic consultations.

However, the statement does not specify the circumstances under which the three countries would respond militarily to an attack, nor does it provide details about the mechanisms for implementing the collective defence commitment.

The agreement nevertheless represents a significant step in formalising defence cooperation among Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.

The three leaders said their cooperation was aimed at contributing to a secure and prosperous future, while promoting peace, security and stability in the region and beyond.