The joint defence agreement concluded in Makkah between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye is an important and welcome development toward strengthening defence, diplomatic and strategic cooperation among the three brotherly Muslim countries. The agreement comes at a time when global and regional security, political stability and economic security are facing a variety of challenges. For the Muslim world, the agreement is particularly significant because three major Islamic countries have taken a step toward further strengthening mutual cooperation, trust and shared interests. In my view, this development should not be confined merely to the defence domain; rather, it should be transformed into a broader vision of Muslim cooperation, economic development and regional peace.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have enjoyed historic, religious, cultural and brotherly relations spanning several decades. The three countries have supported one another on various occasions and have demonstrated mutual cooperation during difficult times. Pakistan-Saudi relations are characterised not only by religious affinity but also by strong defence, economic and people-to-people ties, while Pakistan’s longstanding brotherly relationship with Türkiye also holds a unique position in the Muslim world. If cooperation among these three countries is further strengthened on an institutional basis, it could have positive implications for the entire region.
In the prevailing global environment, mutual trust, unity and cooperation among Islamic countries have become more important than ever. The global balance of power is changing rapidly, and countries around the world are establishing new partnerships to safeguard their national security, economic sovereignty and future interests. In such an environment, closer cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye could prove to be a positive and far-reaching initiative. However, the fundamental objective of this cooperation should not be confrontation against any country; rather, it should be the promotion of peace, stability, sovereignty and collective security.
The joint defence cooperation can create new opportunities for the three countries to exchange defence expertise, technology, training and skills. Pakistan possesses considerable capabilities in defence production, training and professional military experience; Türkiye has made significant progress in defence technology and advanced industry; while Saudi Arabia has substantial financial resources, investment capacity and extensive experience in large-scale development projects. If the capabilities of these three countries are effectively integrated, joint projects in the defence sector could generate not only strategic benefits but also new opportunities for employment, research and industrial development.
However, the scope of this agreement should not remain limited to defence. There is enormous potential for increasing trade and investment among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. Alongside defence cooperation, the three countries should develop a joint economic cooperation framework covering trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, technology, agriculture, minerals, tourism and banking. For this purpose, a permanent business council comprising representatives of the private sectors of all three countries could be established to continuously identify investment opportunities, address obstacles and work on joint ventures.
One of my key proposals is that Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye should organise a Trilateral Annual Economic and Investment Conference. The conference should bring together not only government institutions but also investors, industrialists, banks, exporters, technology companies and young entrepreneurs. Through such a platform, Pakistan could further improve access to the Saudi and Turkish markets for its export products, particularly textiles, rice, leather, sporting goods, pharmaceuticals, engineering products and IT services.
Similarly, Saudi and Turkish investors should be provided special facilities to invest in Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones, minerals, renewable energy, agriculture, information technology and industrial sectors. The most important requirements for attracting investment to Pakistan are policy continuity, removal of regulatory hurdles, one-window facilities and timely decision-making for investors. If practical reforms are introduced in these areas, the defence partnership could also evolve into a broader economic partnership.
The three countries should also formulate a joint strategy in the energy sector. Pakistan needs investment in renewable energy, solar, wind and hydropower to meet its growing energy requirements. If Saudi Arabia’s financial resources and Türkiye’s industrial and technological expertise are aligned with Pakistan’s energy needs, large-scale joint projects could be launched. In addition, cooperation in agriculture, food processing and cold-chain infrastructure could play an important role in increasing Pakistan’s exports.
The partnership should also be made productive in the fields of education, research and opportunities for young people. Cooperation among universities, technical institutions and research centres in the three countries should be expanded through scholarships, joint research programmes and skills-development initiatives. In particular, joint research in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, defence technology, engineering, medical sciences and green technology could prove extremely important for the economies of the future.
At the same time, diplomatic cooperation among the three countries should also be made more effective. Greater consultation at international forums and mutual support on issues of shared interest could enable the voice of the Muslim world to be presented more effectively. However, moderation, diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of disputes should remain the fundamental principles of such cooperation.
This agreement should not be viewed as being directed against any country. Instead, it should serve as a positive instrument for promoting the collective security, peace and stability of the Muslim Ummah. If Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye adopt an integrated strategy encompassing economic development, trade, investment, education, technology and diplomacy alongside defence cooperation, this partnership could emerge as a new model of cooperation.
The development taking place in Makkah provides a historic opportunity to take relations among the three brotherly countries to new heights while strengthening unity, solidarity and mutual trust across the Muslim world. The need of the hour is to ensure that this opportunity does not remain confined to a single agreement but is transformed into a comprehensive programme encompassing peace, defence, trade and shared economic prosperity. This would be the true measure of the agreement’s success and could lay the foundation for a brighter future for the Muslim world.
