ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s support for the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, saying Pakistan would continue working with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye to strengthen defence and security in the wider region.
Responding to President Trump’s remarks on social media platform X, the prime minister said he deeply appreciated the US president’s words of support for the recently signed trilateral defence agreement.
Shehbaz said Pakistan, together with brotherly Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, would continue to play a constructive role in ensuring the defence and security of the three countries as well as contributing to peace and stability across the region.
The prime minister also praised Trump’s leadership, saying his “bold and decisive” role had helped prevent a potentially catastrophic conflict in South Asia and saved millions of lives.
Shehbaz’s remarks came after President Trump publicly welcomed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, expressing satisfaction over Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan joining the new security arrangement.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump said he was “very happy” that the three countries had signed the agreement. He said the development showed how the Middle East was coming together and how countries would be able to defend themselves “in a more meaningful way.”
Trump also congratulated the leadership of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye and described the agreement as a “big, bold, and important first step”, signalling strong US approval of the new trilateral security framework.
His remarks brought international attention to the agreement and were subsequently welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz, who reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to working with Riyadh and Ankara for regional security.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed on August 7 by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The pact establishes a collective defence framework under which an armed attack against one of the three countries would be treated as an attack against all, while expanding security and military cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Also Read: Erdoğan Says Makkah Defence Pact Is Not Against Any Country, Open to Friendly States
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