MAKKAH: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has welcomed the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
The OIC mentioned that, it as an “important strategic step” towards strengthening regional security, collective deterrence and cooperation among Muslim countries.
In this regard, the OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha expressed strong appreciation and support for the agreement in a statement posted on X.
He said the pact reflected the commitment of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye to strengthening regional and international cooperation.
Taha described the agreement as a fundamental pillar for supporting peace, security and stability in the region and across the Muslim world.
He said it demonstrated a shared resolve to address emerging security challenges while promoting solidarity and constructive partnerships among OIC member states.
The agreement, signed on Friday during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence, provides for stronger collective security and defence cooperation among the three countries.
So far, under the pact, an attack against any one of the signatories would be considered an attack against all three.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the agreement during the trilateral summit in Makkah.
Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also attended the ceremony.
The OIC chief praised the leadership and efforts of the three countries that led to the signing of what he termed a historic agreement.
He expressed hope that the pact would contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and the wider international community.
Saudi officials have clarified that the new trilateral agreement does not replace or supersede existing bilateral or multilateral defence arrangements. Turkish President Erdogan has also said that the agreement is not directed against any particular country and remains open to other friendly nations committed to peace.
The agreement has received support from other Muslim countries. Bahrain welcomed it as an important addition to the broader regional defence architecture.
The pact comes amid heightened security tensions in the Middle East, although discussions on the agreement had been underway months before the latest regional conflict.
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also welcomed the agreement, calling it a significant milestone and a historic development for strengthening defence capabilities and promoting regional and global peace.
