Pakistan Ratifies Mecca Pact With Turkey and Saudi Arabia

Pakistan announced on Friday that it has completed its ratification of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement with Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan confirmed that Islamabad and Riyadh have both finished their internal legal procedures. The three nations signed the pact on 7 August, but Turkey is still working through its own domestic approval process, meaning the treaty has not yet been ratified by all signatories.

The agreement provides for collective defense if any of the three states faces an external armed attack. Islamabad has characterized the deal as defensive and consistent with the United Nations Charter. The specific nature and level of assistance will be determined based on the circumstances of any future conflict. On 5 October, the Strategic Political and Defence Committee met and called for rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia, subject to each nation's domestic laws.

The announcement lands as Saudi Arabia faces renewed security threats from Yemen's Houthis. The kingdom's Civil Defence issued warnings this week about potential dangers in the southwestern regions of Abha and Khamis Mushait. Authorities later stated the danger had passed but advised residents to follow safety instructions and avoid filming in affected areas. Reuters reported on 21 October that Riyadh's allies are primarily offering defensive support as the kingdom protects its infrastructure from further missile and drone strikes.

The regional backdrop includes preparations for potential escalation involving Israel and Iran. The Israeli military announced large-scale exercises for Sunday and Monday in the north and center of the country. These drills will involve the air force and units from the Northern and Central Commands, rehearsing scenarios of surprise air and land attacks. The military stated the exercises are designed to test readiness to defend against attacks on multiple fronts.

Washington and Tel Aviv are reportedly weighing renewed military action against Iran as the conflict nears its eighth month. President Trump said on Friday that the United States might carry out another operation against Iran. A report by The Business Times, citing US officials, indicated that American and Israeli forces have drawn up plans for fresh strikes after the US midterm elections on 3 November. Potential targets include Iranian energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone capabilities.