Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are expected to discuss a trilateral defence agreement amid escalating regional tensions.
WEB DESK: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are expected to sign a joint defence agreement during a trilateral summit in Saudi Arabia, according to media reports, as regional powers seek closer security cooperation amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for a three-day visit, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to join the summit.
The reported trilateral agreement would mark a significant development in defence cooperation between the three countries. Discussions are expected to focus on regional security, military coordination and broader strategic cooperation.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz’s visit, which runs from August 6 to 8, is focused on strengthening bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia and exchanging views on regional and international developments.
The Foreign Office said Shehbaz is scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with talks expected to cover bilateral relations and regional developments.
Defence cooperation already under discussion
The proposed three-way pact is not an entirely new initiative. Pakistan’s Defence Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj said earlier this year that Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye had been working on a draft defence agreement after months of discussions. Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan subsequently confirmed that talks had taken place, although he said at the time that no agreement had been signed.
The three countries already maintain extensive defence ties. Pakistan and Türkiye cooperate in areas including military training, defence production and naval projects, while Ankara has also supported Pakistan’s military aviation and drone capabilities.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia separately signed a mutual defence pact in September 2025 under which aggression against either country would be treated as aggression against both. The agreement significantly strengthened their longstanding security relationship.
Regional tensions add urgency
The reported trilateral agreement comes against the backdrop of continuing conflict and tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, as well as disruption to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan has simultaneously sought to maintain its security commitments to Saudi Arabia while pursuing diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between the United States and Iran.
Analysts have previously described the emerging cooperation between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as part of a broader regional effort to strengthen security coordination and reduce reliance on external powers. However, the exact structure and obligations of any new trilateral defence agreement remain to be formally disclosed.
