ISLAMABAD, November 15, 2026: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir have been named joint No. 1 alongside Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a special feature of The Muslim 500 2027 edition.
The annual publication, issued by Jordan’s Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC), has highlighted the five leaders in a special section titled Joint No. 1, linking their recognition to growing defence and strategic cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
The publication’s 18th edition marks the first time five leaders have been presented together in its special top recognition.
According to the report, the recognition is primarily linked to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7, 2026, which established a framework for enhanced collective defence cooperation among the three countries.
The publication identifies Pakistan’s military capabilities, Saudi Arabia’s financial resources and Türkiye’s defence technology as key elements of the emerging strategic partnership.
It highlights Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s political and administrative role in facilitating the agreement, while acknowledging Field Marshal Asim Munir’s contribution to Pakistan’s military capabilities and regional defence cooperation.
However, the publication’s main Top 50 ranking chart lists Saudi Arabia’s leadership first, Pakistan’s leadership second and President Erdoğan third. The Joint No. 1 designation appears separately in a special feature recognising all five leaders.
Other prominent figures in the 2027 edition include Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Renowned Pakistani Islamic scholar Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani is also included among the leading personalities, alongside Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
Several other Pakistani religious figures, including Maulana Tariq Jamil, Maulana Nazarur Rahman and Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadri, have also been featured.
Published annually, The Muslim 500 assesses influential Muslim personalities based on their contributions to religious, political, economic, intellectual, cultural and social spheres.
The publication ranks its leading 50 personalities individually or in leadership groupings, while other influential figures are presented across categories including religious scholarship, politics, science, business, philanthropy, media and the arts.
The joint recognition and its connection to the Makkah defence agreement are confirmed in the publication’s 2027 edition and Pakistan’s official account of the agreement.