Makkah Defence pact purely defensive, not against any country: Ishaq Dar

August 10, 2026 (MLN): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan remains committed to working with brotherly countries in the region to promote lasting peace, stability and prosperity.

In a post on X, Ishaq Dar said the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement recently signed by Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia remains open to other regional countries that are willing to adhere to its core principles and settle differences through mutual respect and peaceful means.

He said the agreement shows Pakistan’s foreign policy principles, particularly its commitment to resolving conflicts through peaceful means.

According to Ishaq Dar, the agreement is the outcome of years of consultations and coordination among the three countries, driven by a shared objective of enhancing strategic cooperation to address diverse peace and security challenges and promote regional stability and prosperity.

Ishaq Dar clarified that the agreement does not replace or invalidate any existing bilateral or multilateral arrangements involving the three countries, either among themselves or with other countries and organizations.

Under the agreement, an external armed attack against any one of the three signatories will be regarded as an attack against all three, in line with their inherent right to individual and collective self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Ishaq Dar stressed that the agreement is exclusively defensive and is not directed against any country. Its objective, he said, is to reinforce ongoing efforts aimed at ensuring peace, stability and prosperity across the wider region.

Copyright Mettis Link News