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HEADLINE

● Makkah Defense Pact open to new members: Pakistan ● Ex-Novotheatre DG, wife barred from leaving country ● Opposition erupts in Jatiya Sangsad over Home Minister’s remarks ● Bangladesh eyes Makkah Pact for military gains, rejects external pressure ● Nepal flash flood raises concern over possible water surge in Bangladesh ● China to supply electricity to national grid at Tk 25 per unit ● No need for external anxiety over Makkah Pact, says Jamaat Amir

Makkah Defense Pact open to new members: Pakistan

Published : Friday, 28 August, 2026 at 9:17 AM

Observer Online Report

Collected Photo

Pakistan stated that the newly established Makkah Joint Defense Agreement remains open to nations willing to commit to its collective security obligations.

The announcement came after Bangladesh indicated it would positively consider joining the alliance if existing member states invite Dhaka.

The development highlights growing regional interest in the security framework signed on August 7 by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan.

During a weekly press briefing on Thursday, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi described the agreement as a defensive arrangement aimed at safeguarding peace and regional stability.

Responding to queries about interest from Bangladesh, Iran, and Syria, Andrabi noted that the framework remains open to countries sharing common security goals.

He emphasized that any formal application for membership would be evaluated in direct consultation with partners in Riyadh and Ankara. He added that the operationalization of the pact remains at an early stage.

Pakistan’s comments followed remarks by Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman in Parliament on Thursday.

Responding to a supplementary question from independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana during the third session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, Khalilur Rahman outlined Dhaka's perspective.

He clarified that the question of formally joining has not yet arisen, as membership depends on the intention of the pact's founding members.

However, he affirmed that if the existing members express an intention to include Bangladesh, the government will consider the prospect positively.

The foreign minister added that evaluating specific benefits or drawbacks remains premature without a formal invitation. He noted that if the alliance expands, it could evolve into a key mechanism for collective self-defense within the global Muslim community.

-SA

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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