Over six nations eye joining Mecca defence pact

Photo: Collected

More than six countries have expressed interest in joining the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday, although he cautioned that no new applications can be entertained until the alliance becomes fully operational.

Speaking at a news conference in Islamabad, Dar declined to name the prospective members, citing strategic and security considerations. Furthermore, he indicated that the process of making the alliance fully operational could take up to a year. The agreement, signed on August 7, stipulates that an armed attack on any one of the three signatories will be treated as an attack on all, reflecting an Article 5-style collective-defence arrangement. Moreover, its members describe the pact as defensive in nature, and a secretariat has been established in Saudi Arabia. Subsequently, the three countries' military chiefs convened in Riyadh on September 25 amid heightened security concerns involving Saudi Arabia, and an emergency meeting of the pact's Strategic Political and Defence Committee is scheduled to take place there next week to discuss the regional security situation and recent Houthi attacks.

Turning to maritime affairs, Dar argued that commercial and other vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz should not be subjected to transit fees or service charges. In addition, he said Iran had suggested political engagement with Yemen's Houthis, a proposal that the three-member committee would consider as an alternative to military action. Nevertheless, he stressed that no formal written proposal had yet been presented.

On Afghanistan, Dar affirmed that Pakistan remained committed to maintaining cordial relations with Kabul. However, he insisted that Afghan territory must not be used for attacks against Pakistan, and he called for demonstrable action against groups that Islamabad identifies as security threats.

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