Pakistan Army spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said the Mecca Defence Pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye is defensive in nature and contains no offensive or expansionist agenda.
Speaking to Al Arabiya English, Chaudhry said the three countries had maintained strategic relations for decades, based on government and military cooperation as well as people-to-people, emotional and cultural ties.
Asked whether the new defence relationship complicated Pakistan’s position toward Iran, he rejected the suggestion and said the pact formalised existing strategic ties rather than creating a new relationship overnight.
Chaudhry said a straightforward reading of the agreement showed that its basic purpose was to deter attacks against member states. He stressed that the pact contained no offensive or interventionist element and remained entirely defensive.
Asked what the agreement practically obliges Pakistan to do if one of its members comes under attack, the army spokesperson said the operational details of defence commitments are not disclosed publicly. He said such information falls within the scope of operational security and classified matters.
Pakistan has previously said the agreement provides for collective defence, with an armed attack on one member treated as an attack on all three. Reuters reported on September 10 that Pakistan had not discussed any immediate military response under the pact following Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Pact Complements Pakistan-China Strategic Ties
Asked whether the Mecca Defence Pact competes with Pakistan’s close relationship with China, Chaudhry said it complements those ties.
He described Pakistan’s relationship with China as highly strategic and said there was no question of competition between the two relationships.
The army spokesperson also rejected the description of the Mecca pact as a broader “Muslim alliance.” He said the agreement does not define itself as a Muslim alliance and instead focuses on regional stability.
Chaudhry said the three countries’ leadership would decide whether and how to expand the pact. He added that future partners could potentially join if they shared the principles of peace, stability, non-aggression and collective resistance.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August. The agreement treats an armed attack on one member as an attack on all three. The three countries later agreed to establish a secretariat in Saudi Arabia, initially headed by a Pakistani secretary-general for three years.
Pakistan Wants Afghan Soil Kept Free of Anti-Pakistan Terrorism
On Afghanistan, Chaudhry said Pakistan’s foremost priority is to ensure that Afghan territory is not used for terrorism against Pakistan.
He said the Pakistan Army’s position on the Taliban government remains aligned with that of the country’s political leadership. He also said several militant organisations remain active from Afghanistan and that international reports have also documented the issue.
Asked what measures Pakistan considers legitimate if diplomacy fails to stop cross-border attacks, Chaudhry referred to Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which recognises the right of self-defence.
He said Pakistan has a responsibility to protect the lives, honour and property of its citizens and would take necessary measures to deal with threats from any source.
Chaudhry said Pakistan would continue its campaign against militancy and had achieved significant successes.
Army Calls Violence in Balochistan Terrorism
Asked about the situation in Balochistan, Chaudhry rejected the description of the situation as an insurgency and referred to the violence as terrorism.
He said Pakistani authorities were conducting intelligence-based operations while also focusing on development, better governance, public engagement and economic opportunities.
Chaudhry said the people of Balochistan need good governance, opportunities and sustained attention, while those who choose violence would be confronted.
Pakistan Says Conflict Between Nuclear-Armed Neighbours Is a Strategic Mistake
The Al Arabiya interview also covered Pakistan’s military confrontation with India in May 2025.
Asked what Pakistan had learned from the conflict, Chaudhry said the first lesson was that military confrontation between two neighbouring nuclear powers was a strategic mistake.
When asked whether India had learned the same lesson, he said that question should be answered by India. He added that Pakistan’s responsibility was to continue reminding India of the reality.
Chaudhry said Pakistan supports peace and regional stability on an equal basis but would take necessary measures to protect its security and territorial integrity if military aggression threatened the country.
On the risk of a future nuclear confrontation, he said Pakistan’s nuclear capability serves as a deterrent, while political restraint and communication also play an important role in preventing escalation.
Pakistan-India Military Hotline Remains Operational
Asked about the possibility of restoring military-to-military contacts with India, Chaudhry said the hotline between the two countries’ Directors General of Military Operations has remained effective for decades, including during periods of tension.
On the resumption of broader talks, he said the decision rests with the political leadership. He added that any dialogue should be based on equality, mutual respect and a genuine effort to resolve outstanding issues.
Asked about India’s defence capabilities, Chaudhry said Pakistan remains aware of India’s investment in military capabilities but does not seek an arms race.
He said Pakistan’s military capabilities are defensive and that the country remains confident in its defence capacity.
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