Pakistan completes ratification of Mecca defense pact 78 days after signing
Islamabad and Riyadh have cleared their domestic approvals for the tri-nation accord, while Turkey continues its own legislative process as regional security threats persist.
By Chioma Kuznetsov ·
Pakistan finalized its ratification of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement on Friday, marking 78 days since the initial signing. Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan confirmed that both Islamabad and Riyadh have completed their respective procedural requirements. The agreement establishes a framework for collective defense among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
The pact was signed on August 7 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It mandates that the three nations support one another if an external armed attack occurs. The specific nature and level of assistance will be determined based on the circumstances of the threat. Islamabad has characterized the treaty as defensive and consistent with the United Nations Charter.
Turkey remains in the process of securing domestic approval, meaning the accord is not yet fully active across all three signatories. Khan stated that discussions regarding the agreement's operationalization are ongoing among the three parties. A meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee on October 5 advanced the implementation timeline. That session called for the rapid deployment of military forces to Saudi Arabia, subject to each nation's internal legal constraints.
The finalization of the pact arrives as Saudi Arabia faces renewed security pressures. Yemen's Houthi movement has launched missile and drone strikes on the kingdom. Reuters reported on October 21 that Riyadh's allies are primarily providing defensive support to help protect Saudi infrastructure. The kingdom's Civil Defence issued warnings this week regarding potential dangers in the southwestern cities of Abha and Khamis Mushait, later stating the immediate threat had passed.
Authorities advised residents in those areas to follow safety instructions and avoid gathering or filming. The alerts coincided with the Houthi attacks, though officials did not specify the exact nature of the danger. The timing of Pakistan's announcement places the tri-nation defense mechanism in focus just as the region experiences increased military activity.
In a related development, the Israeli military announced large-scale exercises in the north and center of the country for Sunday and Monday. These drills involve the air force and units from the Northern and Central Commands. They are designed to rehearse scenarios involving surprise air and land attacks. The military stated the exercises test readiness to defend against threats from multiple fronts.
These preparations occur as Washington and Tel Aviv reportedly consider renewed military action against Iran. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States might conduct another operation as the conflict approaches its eighth month. A report from The Business Times, citing US officials, indicated that American and Israeli forces have drafted plans for fresh strikes following the US midterm elections on November 3. Potential targets include Iranian energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone capabilities.
