Pakistan, KSA, Turkey set to seal new defence pact in Jeddah today

RIYADH: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey and will sign a joint defence agreement in Jeddah today, sources close to the Saudi military and government told AFP.

Regional powers are looking to strengthen security ties against a backdrop of war between the US and Iran, which has drawn in Gulf states and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.

“It was under discussion for a long time but the latest developments in the region expedite it,” the source said on condition of anonymity.

A second source close to the Saudi government also confirmed, on condition of anonymity, that the agreement would be signed today.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is due to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the Red Sea city.

Sharif and army chief Asim Munir arrived in the kingdom on Thursday for a visit lasting until Saturday, while Erdogan is expected to arrive today, according to the Turkish presidency.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the visit was taking place from August 6 to 8.

“Although taking place against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Gulf, the visit will carry significance beyond the immediate crisis and short-term considerations,” foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday.

The three countries have been the subject of months of speculation about a possible strategic alliance.

Pakistan has sought to mediate efforts to end the US-Iran war, while Turkey has played a diplomatic role in negotiations aimed at ending the war in Gaza.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had already announced a joint defence pact in 2025, a move that drew attention because Pakistan is the Muslim world’s only nuclear-equipped state.

Pak-Saudi defence cooperation

Addressing a weekly press briefing on Thursday, spokesperson Andrabi said on Thursday that defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia would continue and was not limited to naval collaboration.

The spokesperson said defence cooperation with the kingdom covered a wide range of sectors, stressing that military partnerships should not be viewed solely through the lens of naval capabilities.

He said the absence of a navy did not prevent any country from contributing meaningfully to defence cooperation, as such partnerships extended across multiple areas.

Sharif to meet Saudi Crown Prince

The spokesperson said Prime Minister Shehbaz would hold talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the visit.

The meeting will focus on bilateral relations, matters of mutual interest and ways to expand cooperation between the two countries.

Andrabi said the visit was significant for advancing regional peace, strengthening diplomatic coordination and promoting a shared approach to regional challenges.

Pakistan pursuing diplomatic efforts

Reaffirming Pakistan’s diplomatic position, the spokesperson said Islamabad remained committed to efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East and promoting the peaceful resolution of regional disputes.

He said Pakistan continued to engage with regional partners to support dialogue and de-escalation.

As part of the country’s diplomatic efforts, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on July 30.

During the call, the two leaders discussed the regional situation, including developments in the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the situation in Palestine.

The spokesperson said Dar also spoke by telephone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on August 3. The two foreign ministers exchanged views on the situation in the Palestinian territories and wider developments in the Middle East.

During the conversation, Dar invited his Iranian counterpart to visit Pakistan.

Support for Palestinian statehood reaffirmed

Andrabi said Dar represented Pakistan at the ministerial conference on Jerusalem (Al-Quds) held in Jordan, where Islamabad reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.

He said Pakistan also reiterated its longstanding position in support of an independent Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Dar held separate talks with the foreign ministers of Jordan, Türkiye, Egypt, Algeria, Iraq and Somalia.

The spokesperson said the fifth meeting of the R4 foreign ministers — comprising Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Türkiye — was also held in Jordan.

The participating countries reaffirmed their support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. They also stressed the need for close coordination to promote peace, stability and de-escalation across the region.