Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offered Friday prayers at Qasr Al Safa in Makkah.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, along with Saudi and Turkish officials, was also present.
Prime Minister Shehbaz is visiting Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
During the visit, the leaders are holding talks on bilateral relations, defence cooperation, economic partnership and regional issues.
The presence of the leaders of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye at Friday prayers was described as an important sign of the close brotherly and diplomatic ties between the three countries.
Read more: Former Indian diplomat says Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is ‘not good news for India’
Makkah Joint Defence Pact
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye have officially signed the landmark joint defence agreement today, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed.
According to the Foreign Office, the agreement formalises decades of close ties among the three countries and establishes a framework for enhanced defence collaboration based on mutual trust, shared interests and regional stability.
Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence.
At the gracious invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the President of the Republic of Türkiye, H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of… pic.twitter.com/tYwKZq2EKK— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) August 7, 2026
The Foreign Office highlighted the complementary strengths of the three nations, citing Pakistan’s experienced armed forces and strategic capabilities, Saudi Arabia’s economic strength and regional influence, and Türkiye’s advanced defence technology and industrial base.
It further said the partnership would enhance defence cooperation while creating a balanced regional security architecture capable of responding to future challenges.
The FO also described Pakistan as an emerging regional stabiliser, pointing to its diplomatic engagement with countries across the region and its ability to maintain constructive relations with global powers. It said Islamabad’s strategic position enables it to play the role of a trusted bridge between regional and international stakeholders.