Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan to Hold First Defence Pact Committee Meeting in Istanbul

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pose after signing a joint defence agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, August 7, 2026. Saudi Press Agency/Handout via REUTERS

ISTANBUL, August 30 — Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan will hold the first committee meeting under their joint defence agreement in Istanbul on Monday, with military capabilities and defence industry cooperation among the expected topics, a Turkish foreign ministry source said, according to Reuters.

Foreign and defence ministers and the chiefs of staff from the three countries will attend. “International security issues will be on the agenda,” the source said.

Discussions are expected to cover closer coordination between their armed forces, greater interoperability and stronger defence capabilities. Joint production and development will also feature in talks on defence industry cooperation, the source said.

The three countries signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement on August 7. Intended to strengthen collective deterrence, it provides that an armed attack against any one of its members would be regarded as an attack against all three.

Turkey has said the agreement does not seek to replace existing alliances and remains open to additional members, with Egypt identified as a potential candidate.

Source: Reuters