Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan as a message of "unity and peace" in the region. The agreement was signed on August 7 at a trilateral summit in Makkah, with the three countries pledging to strengthen collective security and deepen defence cooperation. According to the Prime Minister's Office, Shehbaz also emphasized the importance of deepening economic ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia during his meeting with the Saudi Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture. The agreement is "open to any country in the region" willing to uphold its principles, with Bangladesh considering joining if invited by the founding members.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-28,
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same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed interest in joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, a pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed on August 7. The agreement aims to strengthen collective security and promote peace in the region. Bangladesh's state minister for foreign affairs, Humayun Kabir, said that his country is now being invited by partners in West Asia and the Muslim world to join them in various initiatives. This development has been viewed positively, with Kabir noting that it's not unusual for a country to participate in a regional security agreement if others are already part of it.
This move comes as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a joint defence pact, often referred to as an "Islamic NATO" by some analysts. The pact brings together three major Muslim powers with a combined population of approximately 375 million people and a total defence spending of over $120 billion annually.
Written for “Makkah Defence Pact Agreement” on 2026-08-31,
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Leaning score +0.35 for article 3014 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-08-28
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that the recent Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan had brought the three countries “closer together” and sent a message of “unity and peace throughout the region”.
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Agreement → say → region
The three countries signed the joint defence agreement at a trilateral summit in Makkah on August 7, pledging to strengthen collective security, deepen defence cooperation and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond.
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countries → sign → region
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Shehbaz made the remarks during a meeting with Saudi Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad.
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Shehbaz → accord → Islamabad
In a statement, the PMO said the premier reaffirmed the “deep-rooted, fraternal ties” between the two countries and conveyed his regards for King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
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premier → say → Saud
He underscored that as strategic partners, both Pakistan and the kingdom must now focus their energies towards “deepening economic and agriculture ties to translate their longstanding relationship into a stronger, mutually beneficial trade and investment partnership”.
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Pakistan → underscore → partnership
PM Shehbaz also expressed satisfaction at the “constructive engagement” between the two sides, particularly with regard to the export of agricultural products by Pakistan to the kingdom, the statement said.
“Both sides also exchanged views on enhancing agricultural productivity in Pakistan, through the use of technology, research and development and more efficient use of water resources,” the statement added.
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statement → express → resources
The premier also announced that a delegation of agricultural experts from Pakistan would soon visit Riyadh to carry forward these discussions “with a view to realise the full potential of this partnership”.
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delegation → announce → partnership
Meanwhile, the Saudi minister thanked PM Shehbaz for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation and reaffirmed the kingdom’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Pakistan across the agriculture, water and food security sectors, the statement concluded.
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statement → thank → sectors
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a summit at Al-Safa Palace.
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Agreement → sign → Palace
The tripartite pact empowers member states to treat an attack against one of them as an attack against all of them, and reflects their “shared commitment to further strengthening their collective security and to promoting peace, security, and stability in the region and beyond, in pursuit of a secure and prosperous future”.
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pact → empower → future
Pakistan has said that the pact is “open to any country in the region” willing to uphold its fundamental principles.
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pact → say → principles
On Thursday, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said the country would consider joining the pact “positively” if invited by the founding members.
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country → say → members
