Mecca defence agreement to prove game-changer for security, economic cooperation among signatory states: Experts
PESHAWAR (APP): In a landmark development hailed as a strategic milestone, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye on Friday signed a comprehensive and actionable defence cooperation agreement that experts believed could reshape the security dynamics of the Middle East and South Asia.
The agreement was signed during a high-level meeting attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, reflecting the three countries’ commitment to deepening their longstanding strategic partnership.
Named the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, the pact commits Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye to enhanced collective security, expanded defence cooperation and closer strategic coordination.
Under the agreement, any armed attack against one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all, strengthening collective deterrence against external aggression.
The joint declaration states that the agreement is guided by the enduring bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity among the three nations and builds upon their shared strategic interests and decades of defence cooperation. It reflects their common resolve to strengthen collective security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.
Although Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have long enjoyed close bilateral ties rooted in shared religious, cultural and strategic interests, analysts believe the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement marks a significant shift from symbolic cooperation to an institutionalized strategic partnership.
Defence experts described the pact as a defining moment that formalizes decades of military collaboration, particularly among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
Former ambassador Manzoorul Haq told APP that the agreement represented a new chapter in Pakistan’s strategic relations with the these brotherly countries.
“The agreement comes at a time when the region is facing complex security challenges, making greater defence coordination both timely and necessary,” he said.
He observed that for Saudi Arabia, expanding defence partnerships is consistent with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the Kingdom’s strategic capabilities, reduce dependence on traditional Western security partners and strengthen regional autonomy.
For Pakistan, which continues to face economic and financial challenges besides terrorism threats, the agreement represents not only a diplomatic success but also an opportunity to attract strategic investment and strengthen its defence industry.
Manzoorul Haq said the pact reinforces Pakistan’s standing in the Islamic world as a major military power possessing one of the world’s largest standing armed forces and a credible nuclear deterrent.
Experts also believed the agreement could influence the broader security architecture of the Muslim world.
“This is not merely about conducting joint military exercises or sharing intelligence,” said Brigadier (Retd) Mahmood Shah, a senior defence analyst.
“It reflects a long-term vision under which major Muslim countries seek to strengthen intra-regional cooperation and reduce reliance on external powers.”
Although the agreement is not directed against any specific country, analysts believe increased military coordination in the Arabian Sea and Arab Peninsula could have implications for regional maritime security and energy trade routes.
Professor Dr Zilakat Malik, former Chairman of the Economics Department at the University of Peshawar, said the agreement could also generate significant economic benefits for Pakistan.
“This partnership could attract much-needed investment into Pakistan’s defence sector while providing Saudi Arabia and Türkiye opportunities to expand their indigenous defence industries,” he said.
He said that increased collaboration could create employment opportunities, facilitate technology transfer and boost Pakistan’s defence exports to Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Dr Malik said stronger economic engagement with the two countries could also help Pakistan address its macroeconomic challenges, arguing that Saudi Arabia has consistently supported Islamabad through financial assistance, loans and deferred oil payment facilities.
He added that enhanced defence cooperation could positively impact Pakistan’s economy, industrial base and defence production capabilities over the long term.
The experts observed that the three countries bring complementary strengths to the partnership. Pakistan contributes significant military capability and professional expertise, while Saudi Arabia and Türkiye offer substantial economic resources, investment potential and rapidly growing defence industries.
They said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s efforts to revive Pakistan’s economy through structural reforms and increased foreign investment could receive additional momentum through stronger strategic and economic engagement with the two friendly countries.
Responding to a question on whether Pakistan could expect further economic relief from Saudi Arabia through deferred oil payment facilities or financial assistance, Manzoorul Haq said such prospects could not be ruled out.
“The agreement institutionalizes decades of strategic cooperation while creating new avenues for trade, investment and economic collaboration among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye,” he said.
“For Saudi Arabia, Pakistan offers fertile agricultural land, a skilled workforce and long-term food security opportunities. For Pakistan, Saudi Arabia remains its largest source of workers’ remittances and an important investment partner.”
He said the agreement aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and offers Pakistan opportunities to strengthen economic stability through investment, technology transfer, industrial cooperation and employment generation.
Asked whether Pakistan could receive fresh investment commitments from Saudi Arabia following the signing of the pact, Manzoorul Haq pointed out that Islamabad and Riyadh had already signed investment agreement in October 2024, while bilateral trade continued to expand.
He said investors were optimistic that the strategic partnership would further strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
As the ink dries on the historic agreement, Islamabad, Riyadh and Ankara appear committed to transforming their longstanding defence relationship into a comprehensive strategic partnership for the 21st century.
If implemented effectively, experts believe the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement could serve as a model for broader defence cooperation within the Muslim world, marking a shift from reactive security arrangements toward a more proactive and coordinated regional security framework.
