Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has stated that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA) is a defensive pact designed to provide collective deterrence. Speaking in an interview with Independent Arabia, the military spokesperson warned that any direct or indirect attack against any of the three member states—Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye—would trigger a unified response.
Lt. Gen. Chaudhry emphasized that the alliance aims to send a clear message to elements of instability in the region. He noted that while the MJDA has no offensive intent, its deterrence mechanism is intended to prevent aggression. If deterrence fails, he warned that it would be re-established through all means available to the member states.
Regarding the security of Saudi Arabia, the DG ISPR described the kingdom's sovereignty and the safety of holy sites, or Haramain Sharifain, as "non-negotiable" and "absolute" for Pakistan. He reiterated that Islamabad is providing and will continue to provide necessary support to safeguard these interests amid regional tensions and missile attacks by the Houthi group that have targeted civilian and energy infrastructure.
The military spokesperson clarified that the alliance is not restricted to the founding three nations and remains open to other countries that share its goals for regional peace and security. He confirmed that the MJDA has already established a general secretariat and a Strategic Political and Defence Committee comprising foreign ministers, defense ministers, and services chiefs.
Addressing broader regional instability, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry mentioned that Pakistan’s leadership has been engaging with various actors, including Iran, to encourage de-escalation and negotiated outcomes. He urged Muslim nations to unite rather than escalate conflicts, noting that non-state actors often act as proxies and respond only to firm and clear communication.