Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye plan defence pact talks in Riyadh
Ishaq Dar said the top committee of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye’s defence pact would meet in Riyadh next week to examine Saudi Arabia’s security situation. The Pakistani minister also described an Iranian suggestion to engage the Houthis politically. He said the three members would decide jointly, following earlier foreign-minister and military-chief consultations.
Geopolitics··Morning
The pact’s top committee will meet in Riyadh
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye plan to convene the top committee of their joint defence pact in Riyadh next week, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on October 2. Riyadh is Saudi Arabia’s capital. The Strategic Political Defense Committee will examine the security situation facing the kingdom and decide the three members’ next steps regarding Houthi attacks, Dar said. The Houthis are an armed movement in Yemen.[1], [2]
The planned meeting follows consultations by the three foreign ministers in New York on September 24 and their military chiefs in Riyadh the following day. Dar said the new session would bring together the committee as a whole after those earlier talks.[1]
Dar relays an Iranian proposal for political engagement
Dar said he discussed Pakistan’s obligations under the pact with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York. In Dar’s account, Araghchi denied Iranian association with the Houthis or Iraqi militias and suggested engaging the Houthis politically instead of taking military action. Dar described the advice as offered in good faith. He said Pakistan could not determine the alliance’s response alone and the three states would decide jointly.[1]
August agreement makes defence a shared obligation
The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, which Dar said was signed on August 7, treats an armed attack on any member as an attack on all. Dar declined to elaborate on publishing its provisions or whether military intervention would require parliamentary approval. He said more than six countries were interested in membership. Requests would wait until the secretariat and other mechanisms were fully operational, which he expected to take at least a year; admission requires all three founders’ consent.[1]
