Makkah Pact: An Eternal Alliance of Peace, Security, Defense and Brotherhood

Makkah Pact: An Eternal Alliance of Peace, Security, Defense and Brotherhood
(Column: Inside Story: Asghar Ali Mubarak)
The Makkah Pact is not just a temporary defense or diplomatic agreement, but an eternal and iron alliance of peace, security, defense, and brotherhood among the three great powers of the Muslim Ummah—Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey. In the geopolitical landscape, this pact has fundamentally altered the region’s defense balance.
The Makkah Pact is an eternal message of peace, security, defense, and brotherhood. “The word ‘pact’ does not mean just an agreement but a firm declaration and strategic plan, and when it becomes the ‘Makkah Pact’, it becomes an irrevocable message of peace, brotherhood and invincible defense from the holy land of Makkah to the world.”
The Makkah Pact or “Makkah Pact.” The Arabic word ‘pact’ means a covenant, agreement, firm declaration, or plan. It is Makkah, the holiest city for Muslims. The “Pact of Mecca” or “Meetashaq Makkah” is a pact of peace and brotherhood concluded in Mecca. In my opinion, to truly understand the depth of this alliance, one must understand the profound weight of the term Meeqat or Meeqat (pact).
In Arabic philosophy, ‘pact’ does not simply refer to an extraordinary agreement; it denotes a firm commitment, an unbreakable covenant, and a complex, unwavering strategic plan.
When this ultimate pact is bound by Mecca, the holiest site of Islam and the global cradle of peace, it transcends ordinary diplomacy.
Thus, the ‘Pact of Mecca’ (Meetashaq Makkah) emerges as a sacred blueprint for complete security, peace, and brotherhood, which has transformed the financial weight of Saudi Arabia, the nuclear defense depth of Pakistan, and the tactical technological perfection of Turkey into an eternal, defensive alliance. In my opinion, to truly understand the depth of this alliance, one must understand the Meeqat, or the profound weight of the term pact (Meeshaq). In Arabic philosophy, ‘pact’ does not simply refer to an extraordinary agreement; it denotes a firm commitment, an unbreakable covenant, and a complex, unwavering strategic plan. When this ultimate pact is bound by Mecca, the holiest site of Islam and the global cradle of peace, it transcends ordinary diplomacy. Thus, the ‘Pact of Mecca’ (Meeshaq-e-Makkah) emerges as a sacred blueprint for complete security, peace, and brotherhood, which has transformed the financial weight of Saudi Arabia, the nuclear defense depth of Pakistan, and the tactical-technical perfection of Turkey into an eternal, defensive alliance.
In the geopolitical scenario, the Pact of Mecca has radically changed the defense balance of the region. The basic strategic pillars of this alliance are as follows:
The sanctity of the Holy Land: Being concluded on the blessed land of Mecca, this pact has a high moral and spiritual value. The alliance is sacred, aiming to protect the Muslim world from war and chaos and make it a cradle of peace
Protection of global trade routes: Securing the most sensitive international sea routes such as the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait is the top priority of this alliance so that the global economy and energy supply lines can continue uninterrupted
Trilateral military siege: This alliance provides a common defense structure along the lines of NATO, where aggression against one country is considered an attack on all three countries
Balance of power: Saudi Arabia’s financial capital, Turkey’s advanced drone and naval technology, and Pakistan’s strategic position, manpower and nuclear command together form the world’s strongest military bloc
Countering proxies and external threats: This pact provides a practical military core for the mutual brotherhood of the Muslim Ummah against external threats, drone attacks and regional tensions looming over the Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia
Common economic survival: Along with defense, it The Saudi Vision 2030 agreement serves as a strong economic bridge between Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and CPEC so that the three countries can jointly achieve new heights of development. I believe that a “covenant” is essential for any great goal. In the Arabic dictionary, the word “covenant” is not just the name of a temporary agreement, but rather it denotes a firm and irrevocable commitment, a strong commitment and a long-term strategic plan. Naming the emerging new security bloc between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey as the “Makkah Pact” reflects this firm determination. This agreement, attributed to the holy land of Mecca, is not just a military alliance, but an eternal alliance of peace, security, defense and brotherhood between the three major powers of the Muslim Ummah. The Makkah Pact is a comprehensive and historic defense alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey that adds a new chapter in the military and strategic history of the Muslim Ummah. The most important point of the key defense provisions of this agreement is the principle of collective security, under which a military attack on any of the three countries will be considered an attack on all, and against this aggression, the three countries will give a joint military response and also regularly exchange intelligence. To implement this strategic objective, the land, naval and air forces of the three countries will conduct joint combat exercises on an annual basis to further enhance mutual operational capabilities in the field of conventional threats and counter-terrorism. Most importantly, this alliance establishes an ideal partnership in the defense industry where Saudi Arabia’s financial resources, Turkey’s advanced drone and aerospace technology, and Pakistan’s long-term military expertise and missile programs are coming together, with the aim of completely eliminating military dependence on the outside world and ensuring sustainable peace and self-reliance in the region through technology transfer, joint weapons production, and the establishment of defense equipment repair centers.The Makkah Pact is a purely defensive and peace-loving alliance, which was not established for aggression or declaration of war against any third country. Its main objective is to ensure security and bring stability to the region. Its aim is not to wage war, but to strengthen the defense capacity to counter any external aggression. This alliance recognizes only the right to self-defense in accordance with the United Nations Charter. Its goal is not to attack any sovereign state, but to cleanse the region of terrorism and extremism. The main axis of the alliance is defense self-reliance, economic cooperation, and promotion of peace and brotherhood among Muslim countries. It should be noted that Pakistan’s foreign and military policy is based on the principle that Pakistan will intervene militarily in case of a threat to the territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia and the holy sites (Haram Al-Sharifain). According to Asghar Ali Mubarak, a senior Pakistani political and diplomatic analyst, Pakistan has deployed thousands of military personnel, a squadron of JF-17 fighter jets and a modern air defense system (HQ-9 Air Defense) to Saudi Arabia under its mutual defense agreements to counter security threats looming over the Gulf. Kuwait has recently ratified a major defense manifesto agreement with Pakistan, under which Pakistan is providing assistance to the Kuwaiti army in the areas of drone technology, intelligence sharing and air defense. Following the increasing number of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Pakistan is included in a 14-nation maritime defense alliance led by Saudi Arabia to secure the Gulf’s oil supply lines. The Saudi-led multinational maritime defense alliance was established in Riyadh in late July 2026 with the primary objective of providing security to global trade and energy supply lines in the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The permanent headquarters of the 14-nation alliance has been established in Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem al-Shehri was appointed as the first commander of the force in early August 2026. The founding members of the alliance include Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia, while Oman and the United Arab Emirates are not part of it. The force works through intelligence sharing, joint maritime patrols and operational planning, the structure of which is scheduled for another important meeting in mid-August 2026 to finalize. In this alliance, Pakistan’s experienced navy and Turkey’s modern naval technology together provide the strongest defense core for Gulf security. In the event of tension in the Gulf, Pakistan, as a responsible nuclear power, has always played the role of a diplomatic mediator between Saudi Arabia, Iran, and other Gulf countries to prevent war in the Gulf. Preparations for the first formal joint maritime patrol under the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance are being completed rapidly, as Saudi Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri was appointed as the first commander of this force in early August after the formation of the alliance in late July 2026. This first patrol will focus on the highly sensitive sea lanes of the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden, with the main objective of preventing attacks on trade routes and providing foolproof security to international energy supply lines. All operations of this patrol will be monitored from the permanent headquarters and the Combined Marine Operations Center in Saudi Arabia, where real-time intelligence and satellite information will be shared among all 14 member countries. In this first patrol, the Pakistan Navy’s modern patrol ships (Tughral-class frigates) and the Turkish-made MILGEM-class corvettes will provide the main defensive cover, which are equipped with the latest anti-ship and air defense systems. This naval mission will also be supported by Turkey’s Bayraktar Akinci drones and Saudi Arabia’s aerial surveillance system, which will monitor the sea lanes from the air around the clock. The AGL meeting to be held in mid-August will review the initial results of the first joint patrol and finalize a permanent weekly schedule for monitoring the sea lanes. The Pakistan Navy’s most advanced ships, especially the Tughral-class frigates and the Babur-class multi-purpose corvettes, are equipped with the world’s most advanced weapons and defense systems. For air defense, the Tughral-class frigates are equipped with a 32-cell vertical launch system that fires HQ-16 missiles that can destroy enemy aircraft and missiles up to 70 kilometers, protecting the UAE from missile and drone attacks by Iran or Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Iran considers these bases in Kuwait and the UAE to be a constant threat to its defense and keeps a close eye on them. UAE’s diplomatic shift: The UAE has improved its trade and diplomatic relations with Iran in recent years. Both the Emirates and Kuwait have made it clear to the United States that they will not allow these bases on their territory to be used for any aggressive or unilateral attack on Iran, so that they can be protected from becoming a direct part of this war.It should be remembered that the defense agreement, the Mecca Pact, is a historic step towards the collective defense of the Islamic world, mutual security and brotherhood. The main objectives of the agreement include collective defense, unifying the security and defense capabilities of the three brotherly Islamic countries, peace and stability, preventing possible aggression in the region and establishing lasting peace, promoting joint projects in the defense industry, unity of the Ummah, further developing the relationship of brotherhood and solidarity between Muslim countries, promoting peace and stability in the region, adopting a common strategy against terrorism and strengthening defense cooperation. The defense agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey is important in that the three countries have recognized that aggression against a member will not be considered a problem of that country alone but will be seen in the context of common security.
This agreement should not be seen as a declaration of war against any country but should be seen as an attempt to reduce the chances of war. History has taught us that weak defense often invites aggression, while strong and reliable defense makes the attacker think twice. Peace is not only established by desire, but also requires strength, determination, and collective responsibility to maintain it.
Saudi Arabia is a major power in terms of economy and energy. Turkey is prominent in the defense industry, technology, and military experience, while Pakistan has a large trained army, extensive defense experience, and nuclear capability. If the capabilities of these three countries are systematically used for joint defense planning, military training, information exchange, counterterrorism cooperation and maritime security, the impact of this partnership will not be limited to the three countries alone. The importance of this agreement for Pakistan is multifaceted. For Saudi Arabia, this agreement has come at a time when the Middle East is under constant tension. The threats of missile and drone attacks, the protection of energy centers, and the protection of important sea routes have become important priorities for Riyadh. Defense cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey can provide Saudi Arabia with more confidence and defense depth. For Turkey, this partnership with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also strengthens its regional role. If the three countries combine their defense cooperation with broader economic and diplomatic cooperation, the result could be a model of cooperation within the Muslim world that is based on shared interests and practical capabilities.
War in the Middle East does not mean the loss of just a few countries. Its effects reach the lives of ordinary people. In such a situation, if a strong defense partnership succeeds in preventing a potential war, it will benefit not only Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, or Turkey but also the global economy. Pakistan has proven that it can find a way to peace in the midst of war. Pakistan has sent a message that joint strength is also necessary to maintain peace. The success of strength is not in winning war but in preventing war.Pakistan not only provides manpower to the Gulf countries, but it has also become the strongest security pillar of the Gulf portfolio under its nuclear capability, strategic depth and the Mecca Defense Treaty. In view of this threat, there has been a major strategic shift in the foreign policy of Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar in recent years. These countries have clearly adopted the diplomatic line that they will keep themselves aloof in any possible war between the US and Iran and will not allow their territory to be used for any kind of aggression or attack against Iran. One of the major objectives of the agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran brokered by China was that the two countries should ensure each other’s security. In the current era, the entire focus of the Gulf countries is on their economic development (such as Saudi Vision 2030). They know very well that any kind of war or missile attack in the region can seriously damage their economic projects and foreign investments. That is why Arab countries constantly keep diplomatic channels active with Iran in order to prevent any misunderstanding or the risk of an accidental attack in time. The US military bases in Qatar and Bahrain are the two largest and most important centers of US military power and air and naval control in the Middle East. In the context of increasing tensions with Iran and the security of the Gulf, these two bases have strategic importance: Qatar: Al-Udeid Air Base is the largest military base in the region, where more than 10,000 US and coalition troops are usually permanently stationed. The forward headquarters of the US Air Forces Central Command is located at this base, which oversees air operations throughout the region (including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria). Long-range B-52 bombers, JF-22s, and other modern warplanes are stationed here. Being located right in front of Iran, it is considered the center of air strikes for any possible military action. Bahrain is home to the permanent headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet. The fleet oversees the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean. The force’s primary mission is to protect critical global trade and oil supply routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, and to monitor Iranian naval activity. More than 8,000 US military personnel and dozens of warships and submarines are stationed here on a 24-hour alert. Iran considers these bases to be the biggest threat to its national security and has repeatedly warned that they would be the first targets of its missiles in the event of a war. Neither Qatar nor Bahrain want to completely sever diplomatic ties with Iran. Qatar has played a key role in prisoner exchanges and negotiations between the United States and Iran in recent years. The current policy of the Gulf countries is to prevent the United States from directly attacking Iran from these bases, so as to avoid being drawn into the war themselves. US military installations in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are a crucial part of the US military’s logistics, ground defense, and air surveillance network in the Middle East. Like Qatar and Bahrain, these two countries rely on these bases to maintain a strategic balance with Iran. Kuwait has had a large and permanent US military presence since the 1991 Gulf War, and the country is considered the backbone of US ground operations in the region. Camp Arifjan is the largest US military base in Kuwait, home to thousands of US troops. It is the largest logistics, forward supply, and command and control headquarters for the US military in the entire Middle East. Camp Behring is located near the Iraqi border and monitors the training and operations of US armored forces, helicopters, and drones. Ali Salem Air Base is a major logistics and cargo airbase for the US Air Force, used to deliver military equipment and supplies to US forces throughout the region. US installations in the UAE are primarily focused on monitoring Iran from the air and sea and strengthening the Emirati defense system. The base, located near Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi, is of extremely strategic importance. The US Air Force’s latest stealth fighter jets (such as the F-35 and F-22) and the latest global surveillance drones and U-2 spy planes are stationed here. Jebel Ali Port: Located in Dubai, this port is the only deep-water port in the world outside the US where the US Navy’s largest nuclear aircraft carriers can dock. Patriot Missile Systems: The US has installed its latest Patriot and THAAD air defense systems at the Al Dhafra base, which protect the UAE from missile and drone attacks by Iran or Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Iran considers these bases in Kuwait and the UAE to be a constant threat to its defense and keeps a close eye on them. UAE Diplomatic Shift: The UAE has improved its trade and diplomatic relations with Iran in recent years. Iran considers these bases in Kuwait and the UAE to be a constant threat to its defense and keeps a close eye on them.
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