Riyadh, 5 October, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye held an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee in Riyadh to review the latest regional security developments and strengthen defence cooperation under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. The meeting was attended by the foreign ministers, defence ministers and military chiefs of the three countries in a 3+3 format. Pakistan was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The emergency session was convened ahead of the committee’s next regular meeting, scheduled for late October or early November, in view of the latest security situation involving Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. According to Ishaq Dar, 17 drone attacks were carried out against Saudi Arabia between September 21 and 22, prompting the three countries to discuss regional security and determine a coordinated way forward. The committee reviewed regional developments and ongoing cooperation under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. Pakistan’s participation reflects its commitment to contributing to regional peace, security and stability. The talks followed a meeting last month between senior military commanders of the three countries, during which they discussed threats facing Saudi Arabia and agreed to enhance defence cooperation, intelligence sharing and military coordination. The commanders strongly condemned attacks targeting Makkah as well as Saudi civilian and economic infrastructure. The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye on August 7, 2026, during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah. The agreement aims to enhance collective security, strengthen defence cooperation and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond. Under the agreement, a joint mechanism has been established to coordinate political and defence matters. Its secretariat has been established and is operational in Riyadh, while Pakistan has appointed the first Secretary-General of the agreement. Pakistan has also assigned officers from the Foreign Ministry and military to support the mechanism and coordinate with Saudi and Turkish officials. Ishaq Dar said the implementation process is expected to take at least one year, while the next regular meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee is expected to take place in late October or early November.