Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan held the inaugural Strategic Political and Defense Committee meeting in Istanbul on Aug. 31 under the Mecca joint defense agreement, focusing on implementation, deeper defence cooperation and establishing operational mechanisms. The closed-door session — the first committee meeting since the pact was signed on Aug. 7 in Mecca — was attended by the three countries' foreign ministers, defence ministers and chiefs of staff.

2026-08-31

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan held the inaugural Strategic Political and Defense Committee meeting in Istanbul on Aug. 31 under the Mecca joint defense agreement, focusing on implementation, deeper defence cooperation and establishing operational mechanisms. The closed-door session — the first committee meeting since the pact was signed on Aug. 7 in Mecca — was attended by the three countries' foreign ministers, defence ministers and chiefs of staff.