Mecca defense pact sends 'message of unity, peace' to region: Sharif

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Friday that the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed with Türkiye and Saudi Arabia earlier this month "has sent a message of unity and peace throughout the region," describing the pact as a milestone that has brought the three nations closer together. Speaking during a meeting with Saudi Environment Minister Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley in Islamabad, Sharif emphasized that the trilateral framework represents a significant step toward collective security, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

The agreement was signed on August 7 at Al-Safa Palace in Mecca by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Sharif himself, with the three leaders pledging to deepen defense cooperation and promote regional stability.

Expansion prospects

Bangladesh has indicated it would consider joining the defensive alliance if invited by the founding members, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman told parliament Thursday. "If they invite Bangladesh to join, then we will definitely consider it positively," Rahman said, noting that the matter depends on the intention of the parties involved.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi confirmed Thursday that the agreement remains open to new participants, describing it as a "defensive framework aimed at safeguarding peace and promoting regional stability." "As an evolving security architecture, the agreement remains open to countries that share its commitments to collective obligations and common security interests," Andrabi told reporters in Islamabad, adding that "any formal request will be considered in consultation with our partners in Riyadh and Ankara."