Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan agree to establish secretariat under joint defence pact - Reuters

**Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan agree to establish secretariat under joint defence pact**

*Riyadh, Ankara, Islamabad – 31 August 2026* – Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have signed an agreement to create a permanent secretariat that will oversee the implementation of their newly‑minted defence cooperation framework, known as the Mecca Defence Alliance. The decision, announced by the foreign ministries of the three states and reported by Reuters, follows a series of high‑level talks held in Istanbul last month, where ministers from the three capitals convened to formalise the pact that was first unveiled in June 2026. The alliance, which also carries the informal moniker “Islamic NATO,” is intended to coordinate joint military exercises, share intelligence on terrorism and maritime security, and develop common procurement strategies.

The secretariat, slated to be headquartered in Istanbul, will be led by Pakistan for an initial three‑year term, a provision highlighted in coverage by *Times of India* and *The Hindu*. Pakistani officials, including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, have described the role as an opportunity to “anchor a collective security architecture that reflects the strategic interests of the Muslim world.” Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized that the secretariat will “reduce uncertainty” in a region beset by geopolitical tensions, while Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the arrangement will strengthen “defence cooperation and interoperability” among the allies. The inaugural meeting, attended by Pakistani envoys Dr. Aamir Dar and Brigadier Munir, set out a work‑plan that includes quarterly joint drills, a shared digital intelligence platform, and a coordinated response mechanism to crises affecting the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf and the broader Indian Ocean littoral.

Analysts view the Mecca Defence Alliance as a strategic counterweight to existing security blocs, notably NATO and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, though they caution that its effectiveness will hinge on the secretariat’s ability to translate political will into operational capacity. Regional observers note that the alliance could reshape power dynamics in the Middle East and South Asia, especially as it dovetails with Turkey’s broader pivot toward the Global South and Saudi Arabia’s drive to diversify its security partnerships beyond traditional Western allies. Nonetheless, questions remain about funding, rules of engagement and the alliance’s stance on ongoing conflicts in Yemen and Syria, issues that will likely dominate the secretariat’s agenda in its first year.

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