Full text of Makkah defence pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan obtained

Summary

The National has obtained the full text of the Makkah Defence Pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan after it was submitted to the Turkish parliament for approval. The text had not been made public when the agreement was signed in August. A Turkish parliamentary source and a Pakistani government official confirmed it as authentic. Turkey's parliament must approve the pact before it becomes legally binding, but some articles have already been enacted, including the appointment of a secretary general and the establishment of a central Strategic Political and Defence Committee. The pact has a NATO-style mutual defence clause. The three countries held an emergency meeting this month to arrange the rapid deployment of military forces to Saudi Arabia, which is under attack by Houthi rebels.

Timeline

1. The National

   21 Oct 2026, 16:36 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that it has obtained the full text of the Makkah Defence Pact, submitted to the Turkish parliament for approval, which includes a NATO-style mutual defence clause and has some articles already enacted.