WEB DESK: US President Donald Trump has welcomed the joint defence pact signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, describing it as a “bold and important first step” towards stronger regional security cooperation.
“It shows how the Middle East is coming together, and how Countries will finally be able to defend themselves in a more meaningful way,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Monday.
The US president congratulated the leadership of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on the signing of the agreement, calling it a “big, bold, and important first step”.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7 during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit, attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be regarded as an attack against all, a provision broadly similar to NATO’s Article 5 collective defence principle.
The agreement was signed amid heightened regional security concerns following the US-Israel war on Iran, which began on February 28 and significantly affected the wider Middle East, including maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The pact came a year after Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defence agreement under which aggression against either country would be treated as aggression against both.
Prime Minister Shehbaz has stressed that the trilateral agreement is defensive in nature and is not directed against any country.
Addressing a federal cabinet meeting on August 10, the prime minister said the agreement was aimed at promoting peace, security and prosperity in the region.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has also described the pact as defensive and said it was intended to promote peace, stability and prosperity across the wider region.
Dar said the agreement reflected the longstanding ties between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye and was the outcome of years of discussions and coordination aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation to address shared security challenges.
He also said the pact remained open to countries willing to uphold its core principles.
Erdogan says Egypt could join pact
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has indicated that Egypt could become the next country to join the mutual defence agreement.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Erdogan said Cairo’s possible accession was among several options being considered as the three countries looked to expand the agreement’s membership.
“This agreement has sent an important message to the world,” Erdogan said during the interview.
He added that the agreement remained open to additional members and indicated that Egypt’s participation was possible.
PM Shehbaz thanks Trump
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump for his “kind words of support” for the trilateral defence agreement.
In a post on X, Shehbaz said Pakistan, in coordination with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, would continue playing a constructive role in ensuring the defence of the three countries and the wider region.
The prime minister also praised Trump’s role in preventing a nuclear catastrophe in South Asia.
“I would also like to once again commend President Trump for his courageous and decisive leadership, which helped avert a nuclear catastrophe in South Asia and saved millions of lives,” Shehbaz said.
He added that durable peace was the “most essential prerequisite” for a bright and prosperous future.
