Makkah Defence Agreement: Asim Munir and Saudi defence minister reaffirm joint security efforts

The Makkah Defence Agreement was central to discussions between Field Marshal Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, and Prince Khalid during a meeting, according to Pakistan’s military media wing, ISPR.

The two leaders reviewed the latest security situation, including attacks targeting Makkah and Saudi civilian and economic infrastructure. They also discussed wider regional security and defence cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

The meeting followed talks among the military chiefs of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye in Riyadh. Those commanders agreed to immediately translate commitments under the Makkah pact into practical military cooperation, with intelligence sharing, military coordination and defence capability integration among the areas discussed.

Munir and Prince Khalid also welcomed the outcome of the military chiefs’ meeting and stressed the importance of maintaining coordinated efforts under the agreement.

The Saudi delegation included Minister of State and National Security Adviser Dr Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aybani, Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili and adviser to the defence minister for intelligence affairs, Professor Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif.

Field Marshal Munir was accompanied by a Pakistani delegation.

The meeting comes as Saudi Arabia faces increased security concerns linked to missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement. Recent attacks have targeted areas including Riyadh and other parts of the kingdom, while Saudi authorities have reported interceptions of missiles.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7. The pact provides that an armed attack against one member should be regarded as an attack against all three and establishes a framework for closer defence cooperation.

Makkah Defence Agreement: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye deepen military cooperation

The three countries have since moved to establish the agreement’s institutional structure. Pakistan was selected to initially head the alliance’s secretariat in Riyadh for three years, while the partners agreed to develop committees and working groups to support cooperation.

The latest discussions come as the three countries work to turn the agreement into operational military coordination. Specific decisions on troop deployments or military assistance have not been publicly announced.