Key Takeaways
- Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have completed ratification of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
- Türkiye is still undertaking domestic legal procedures for the agreement.
- The pact includes a provision treating an external attack on any party as an attack on all.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have completed the ratification of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, according to a statement from the Foreign Office. The agreement, which is aimed at promoting regional peace, security, and stability, has now been formally approved by both countries.
In a press briefing, Sajjad Haider Khan, the Foreign Office spokesperson, confirmed that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have completed their ratification processes. However, Türkiye is still in the process of obtaining parliamentary approval, as required by its domestic legal framework.
The text of the agreement, which was released by the Turkish parliament, has been made public. Article 2 of the agreement stipulates that an external armed attack on any party is considered an attack on all, a provision that addresses concerns about potential Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
The spokesperson, Sajjad Haider Khan, rejected suggestions of any undisclosed clauses, stating that the agreement is explicit and clear. He emphasized that the pact is defensive and consistent with Article 51 of the UN Charter, adding that it is not directed against any particular country.
The nature and extent of any assistance under the agreement would be decided collectively by the three countries after an objective assessment of the circumstances. The mechanism for invoking the agreement is outlined in one of its articles, but the decision to do so rests with the three partners.
Pakistan remains fully committed to the letter and spirit of the Agreement, as stated by the spokesperson. The agreement is part of ongoing discussions among the three parties, including in the Strategic Political and Defence Committee, which met on October 5.
The ratification and operationalisation of the pact remain under discussion. The spokesperson highlighted that the agreement is aimed at promoting regional peace, security, and stability, and that each country follows its own constitutional and legal procedures for approving and ratifying international agreements.
