The Makkah defence agreement signed by Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia last month is a “defensive alliance”, with no plans to expand it at the moment, Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson said yesterday.

Sajjad Haider Khan made the remarks at a weekly press briefing, saying the pact was primarily a “defensive alliance to ensure regional security primarily through deterrence”.

“At this stage, the expansion of the Makkah agreement is not on the cards,” he said, adding that “Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye must first further consolidate their organisation and cooperation”.

Following that consolidation, the agreement will be “open to all countries that share similar stances and perspectives”, Dawn quoted him as saying.

Sajjad reiterated that the three countries would decide on any expansion “at a later stage”.

“Significant work lies ahead to finalise the organisation’s structure, mechanisms, and procedures,” he said, adding that any future developments would become clear in due course.

Asked how Pakistan plans to fulfil its obligations under the accord after Saudi Arabia was attacked by Yemeni Houthis, he said there had been no discussion of a military response from Islamabad.

“When the time comes, (we) will act under the agreement,” Reuters quoted him as saying.

The joint defence agreement, signed last month, stipulates that an armed attack on any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack on all of them.