Mecca Pact: Pakistan Completes Ratification Ahead of Turkey

Pakistan finalized its approval of a tri-nation military agreement on Friday, joining Saudi Arabia in completing the legal process.

The Foreign Office confirmed that Islamabad and Riyadh have both finished ratifying the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, which was signed on August 7. Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan stated that discussions continue regarding the pact's operational details.

Turkey remains the only signatory still working through its domestic legislative procedures. The agreement, signed in Mecca by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, mandates collective defense if any member state faces an external armed attack. Officials describe the pact as defensive and consistent with the United Nations Charter.

Implementation efforts accelerated following a Strategic Political and Defence Committee meeting on October 5. That gathering called for the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia, subject to each nation's internal laws. The move aims to secure the kingdom's infrastructure against ongoing threats.

The ratification occurs as Saudi Arabia confronts renewed missile and drone attacks from Yemen's Houthis. Civil Defence authorities issued warnings this week regarding potential dangers in Abha and Khamis Mushait, though they later declared the threat had passed. Reuters reported on October 21 that Riyadh's allies are primarily providing defensive support to protect key infrastructure from further strikes.

Regional tensions extend beyond the Arabian Peninsula. The Israeli military announced large-scale exercises for Sunday and Monday, involving air force units and Northern and Central Command forces. These drills will rehearse scenarios for surprise air and land attacks to test readiness for multi-front defenses.

These preparations align with reported plans for renewed US and Israeli military action against Iran. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States might launch another operation as the conflict approaches its eighth month. Reports citing US officials indicate that plans for fresh strikes after the November 3 midterm elections could target Iranian energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile capabilities.