The Strategic Political and Defense Committee of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement held its first meeting in Istanbul on Sunday. Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia attended the session, aimed at strengthening strategic coordination and supporting regional peace and stability among the three countries.
Important Points
- Strategic Political and Defense Committee first meeting held in Istanbul
- Pakistan represented by FM Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, and CDF Munir
- Foreign and defense ministers of Turkiye and Saudi Arabia also participated
- Meeting is the first step toward institutionalizing trilateral cooperation
A High-Level Pakistani Delegation
Pakistan was represented at the meeting by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. He was accompanied by Federal Minister for Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The level of representation being sent – from Pakistan’s top diplomat to its defense minister and military chief – shows how seriously Islamabad is taking this new institutional structure under the pact.
Regarding the First Meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee Established Under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement https://t.co/hcw1am45MO pic.twitter.com/ZNqhcvOeut
— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) August 30, 2026
Turkiye, Saudi Arabia Bring Senior Teams
Turkiye and Saudi Arabia were at par with Pakistan at the table. Both countries’ foreign and defense ministers were present, along with their respective Chiefs of General Staff. The meeting was a high-level platform for strategic consultations, rather than a routine working-level session, with the top foreign policy, defense and military leadership of all three countries present.
The Meaning of This Gathering
Pakistan’s participation reflects its long-standing relations with both Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, as well as its stated desire to help promote lasting regional peace. In the future, the committee itself is expected to handle the coordination of political and defense issues among the three countries, coordination that officials hope will translate into greater stability across the wider region.
Most of all, this first session is a structural milestone. The framework for such trilateral cooperation was set with the signing of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement earlier this month. Sunday’s meeting in Istanbul is meant to turn that framework into an operational body, one that will meet regularly and not just exist on paper. If these consultations persist on a regular basis, they could deepen the strategic partnership between Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia and provide a standing channel for the three countries to coordinate on common regional interests as and when they arise.
