Turkish parliament approves Makkah defence pact with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia

The Turkish parliament on Thursday approved a bill ratifying the Makkah Agreement on Joint Defence with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, paving the way for the trilateral security pact to come into force.

Lawmakers endorsed the measure by 279 votes to 119, with 398 of the chamber’s 592 members taking part in the ballot.

The measure, formally titled the Bill on the Approval of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between the Republic of Turkiye, Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, passed after a lengthy debate among parties.

During the debate, ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party lawmaker Ziya Altunyaldiz stressed that the agreement aims to expand security cooperation in the region. He emphasised that it contains no approach against any third country and that its main goal is to prevent conflicts rather than escalate them.

Opposition speakers raised reservations about the pact’s scope and oversight. Mehmet Guzelmansur of the Republican People’s Party said clear rules are needed so the agreement does not contradict Turkiye’s other international obligations.

Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement at a trilateral summit in Makkah on Aug 7, pledging to strengthen collective security, deepen defence cooperation and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond.