Full Text of Makkah Defence Pact Between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan Revealed

The National has obtained the complete text of the Makkah Defence Pact, an agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, following its submission to the Turkish parliament for ratification. This document, which was not publicly disclosed at the time of the agreement's signing in August, has been verified as authentic by a Turkish source. The pact requires approval from Turkey's parliament to become legally binding, although certain provisions have already been implemented, including the appointment of a secretary general and the formation of a central Strategic Political and Defence Committee. Earlier this month, the three nations convened an emergency meeting to strategize the swift deployment of military forces to Saudi Arabia amid attacks by Houthi rebels. The full text of the pact, which incorporates a mutual defence clause similar to NATO's, is provided below.

MAKKAH AGREEMENT FOR JOINT DEFENCE BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE, THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN AND THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

The Republic of Türkiye, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (hereinafter referred to as "Party", "Parties", or "the core Parties"),

In consideration of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, the tenets of the UN Charter, international laws, and their respective domestic laws; the "Parties" agree to elevate existing cooperation mechanisms, coordination, and integration into a joint defence agreement.

Confirming their commitment to advancing relations amongst the "Parties" through enhanced cooperation, coordination, and integration, including interoperability, readiness, and effectiveness of armed forces in pursuit of common interests, thereby cementing the existing bonds of friendship and brotherhood amongst the "Parties" and their peoples.

Reaffirming the significance of the principles of non-interference in domestic affairs, sovereign equality, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders of the "Parties", and expressing that the implementation of required mutual assistance measures is fundamental in the event of armed aggression against their independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Noting the importance of joint efforts and coordination in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations for ensuring global and regional peace, stability, and security.

Noting the desire to deepen existing cooperation between the authorities of the "Parties" in the fight against terrorism.

Emphasizing the importance of strengthening existing cooperation amongst the "Parties" in regional and international organizations to pursue a common stance on international issues.

Noting that defence and defence industrial cooperation need to be further strengthened amongst the "Parties",

Have agreed on the following:

Article 1

The "Parties" will cooperate in ensuring and protecting each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of their internationally recognized borders. In the event that the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and internationally recognized borders of any of the "Parties" are threatened or endangered, the "Parties" will utilize all necessary means to eliminate such threats and dangers.

Article 2

Any external armed attack on any of the "Parties" will be considered an attack against all the "Parties". In the event of an armed attack or military aggression against one of the "Parties" by another country or a group of countries, the "Parties" will immediately assist the "Party" so attacked, with all possibilities of mutual assistance. Towards this end, the "Parties" will decide on the extent and nature of support to be provided after an objective assessment of the assistance required and will cooperate with each other, within the scope of available means, including military means and capabilities, with a view to exercising the right of self-defence granted by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations.

Article 3

In light of Article 2 of this Agreement, the "Parties" will closely cooperate in defence, defence industry, and security, promote relations amongst the armed forces of the "Parties", and implement agreed actions to enhance defence cooperation.

Article 4

The "Parties" will hold regular consultations on international security issues. The "Parties" will continuously and efficiently assist and cooperate with each other to develop and strengthen individual and joint measures on the basis of joint assessment to secure their vital interests and eliminate threats or dangers to their national security.

Article 5

The "Parties" will strengthen their existing cooperation and joint efforts, including coordination at the operational level, in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations that negatively affect regional and international stability and security.

Article 6

To enhance defence capabilities, the "Parties" will encourage personnel exchanges between defence institutions, joint training programs, exercises, deployments, and activities to increase the interoperability of the armed forces of the "Parties", both during peace and war.

Article 7

To strengthen defence capabilities, the "Parties" will support collaboration amongst defence industries as mutually agreed in the following manner:

a) Promoting defence co-production.

b) Establishing joint research and development projects and defence innovation in specialized technologies.

c) Training human capital and supporting military industries within the "Parties" territories, by experts from any "Party".

d) Exchanging expertise and lessons learned in the areas of defence industries and defence research, development, and innovation.

e) Any other areas as mutually agreed among the "Parties".

Article 8

1. The "core Parties" shall establish a "Strategic Political and Defence Committee" comprising the Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, and the Chief of Defence (CHoD)/ Chief of General Staff of the "Parties", to provide strategic direction for the joint defence, pursue and develop requirements for defence and security cooperation between the "Parties", and overcome any hindrances in the execution of this Agreement. The Committee will hold meetings, alternating amongst the "Parties", twice a year. The leaders of the "Parties" may meet once a year, where necessary.

2. The "Strategic Political and Defence Committee" shall be empowered to establish such subsidiary committees as may be necessary.

3. Separate special agreements/protocols will be negotiated between the "Parties" for the implementation of the areas of cooperation referenced in this Agreement, where required.

4. The "Strategic Political and Defence Committee" shall approve and exercise power over the mechanism and criteria for any other parties to join this agreement, with consensus amongst the "core Parties".

5. The "Strategic Political and Defence Committee" shall have a secretariat based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Secretariat shall conclude a headquarters agreement with the Kingdom. The detailed functioning of the Secretariat, its organization, and constitution will be decided by the "core Parties" with consensus at a later stage.

6. The Secretariat shall be headed by a Secretary General, who shall be appointed on rotation amongst the "core Parties" for a period of three years. The first Secretary General shall be from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

7. The provisions of this article do not prejudice the work of existing military cooperation committees among the "Parties".

Article 9

To deepen cooperation in intelligence and appropriate coordination to that end, the "Parties" will share intelligence through secure channels, mutually agreed between the "Parties", with a commitment to information security, data protection, and confidentiality.

Article 10

The "Parties" shall provide logistic support, including arms, ammunition, fuel, spare parts, and other equipment support during peace, war, and other contingencies, depending on the availability and compatibility of logistic support services.

Article 11

Without prejudice to international laws and respective domestic laws, the "Parties" have agreed to take this agreement as the legal basis for implementing its provisions and to suggest additional legal arrangements if necessary.

Article 12

This Agreement does not prejudice the rights and obligations of the "Parties" arising from international agreements they have already concluded.

Article 13

1. The "Parties" will respect the privacy of confidential information and documents they obtain within the scope of this Agreement and will respect national legislation.

2. Confidential information and documents will not be shared with any government, company, or person of a country other than the "Parties".

3. It will be ensured that the principle of a need-to-know basis will be applied for access to confidential information and documents, and for those who have appropriate-level security clearance.

Article 14

Any dispute arising from the interpretation or application of this Agreement shall be resolved amicably through consultations and negotiations amongst the "Parties".

Article 15

This Agreement may be amended by consultations and consensus amongst the "core Parties".

Article 16

1. This Agreement shall be ratified in accordance with each Party's applicable procedures and shall come into force from the date of the last deposit of ratification into the headquarters of the secretariat of the "Strategic Political and Defence Committee".

2. This agreement shall remain in force indefinitely.

3. Any "Party" may withdraw from this Agreement after ten years from its coming into force by giving written notification to the other "Parties" through diplomatic channels at least three months prior to its intended withdrawal.

4. The termination of this Agreement or withdrawal from it shall not affect any ongoing activities or projects that have been agreed upon by the "Parties" prior to the termination or withdrawal date.

5. The responsibilities of the Parties regarding the protection of confidential information and documents and preventing their disclosure in accordance with this agreement will continue after the termination of this agreement or withdrawal from it.

This Agreement is in triplicate in the Arabic, English, and Turkish languages, the three texts being equally authentic. In case of any difference of understanding in the provisions of the texts, the English text shall prevail. This Agreement has been signed at Makkah on Friday, 24/2/1448H corresponding to 07 August 2026.

For the Republic of Türkiye - Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President

For the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince

For the Islamic Republic of Pakistan - Muhammed Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister