PM Shehbaz Reaffirms Support for Saudi Arabia Under Makkah Joint Defence Agreement

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security during a meeting with Lieutenant General (retd) Nauman Mahmood, the first secretary-general of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA).

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the meeting focused on regional security and ways to strengthen defence and strategic cooperation under the agreement.

Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated Mahmood on assuming his new role and expressed his best wishes for his tenure. He also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to working with Saudi Arabia to safeguard its security and defence.

“The Makkah peace agreement is a historic milestone for peace, unity and stability in the region,” the prime minister said.

MJDA Aims to Strengthen Defence Cooperation

During the meeting, Mahmood briefed the prime minister on strategies to advance defence and strategic cooperation under the MJDA framework, the PMO statement said.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye formalised their strategic defence relationship through the agreement in August 2026. Its stated objectives include strengthening collective deterrence, expanding military cooperation and supporting regional stability.

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The meeting comes amid heightened regional tensions linked to the wider US-Iran conflict and reported attacks by Yemen’s Houthi group on Saudi territory and infrastructure. These developments have increased concerns about the potential impact of regional hostilities on civilian and economic security.

Pakistan has repeatedly emphasised its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security. The MJDA provides a framework for the three participating countries to coordinate their defence efforts.

Nauman Mahmood to Lead the Alliance’s Secretariat

The government appointed Lieutenant General (retd) Nauman Mahmood as the MJDA’s first secretary-general on September 23, 2026. His appointment marks an early institutional step in putting the trilateral agreement into operation.

The decision followed the inaugural meeting of the agreement’s Strategic Political and Defence Committee in Istanbul on August 31. The meeting brought together senior foreign and defence officials and military chiefs from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.

Under the arrangement described following the Istanbul meeting, the secretary-general will lead the alliance’s General Secretariat in Riyadh. The secretariat is expected to oversee implementation of the agreement, coordinate joint activities among the three militaries and support wider defence-industrial cooperation.

The initial three-year period will give the secretariat a central role in developing the agreement’s working procedures and coordinating activities among the participating countries.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye Discuss Regional Stability

A day before meeting Prime Minister Shehbaz, Mahmood met President Asif Ali Zardari, accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

According to reporting on that meeting, President Zardari expressed confidence that the MJDA could contribute to regional peace and stability through defensive cooperation guided by the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.

As the three countries begin developing the agreement’s institutional structure, the secretary-general’s role will be central to coordinating its implementation. The framework’s practical impact will depend on how the partners translate their commitments into sustained defence coordination and cooperation.

Pakistan has reaffirmed that its engagement under the agreement is intended to support Saudi Arabia’s security while contributing to wider regional stability.