- WEB DESK
- August 30, 2026
Dar arrives in Istanbul ahead of first Pakistan-Turkiye-Saudi defence pact meeting
-
- WEB DESK
- August 30, 2026
ISTANBUL/ISLAMABAD: Top officials from Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia are set to meet in Istanbul on Monday for the first meeting under the trilateral defence agreement signed earlier this month, as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in the Turkish city for a series of official engagements.
A Turkish foreign ministry source told Reuters that foreign and defence ministers, along with the chiefs of staff of the three countries, would attend the meeting, with international security issues expected to be high on the agenda.
The meeting comes less than a month after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, committing the three countries to strengthening collective security and deterrence.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not confirm the first meeting under the defence agreement when contacted for comment.
The Makkah agreement stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be regarded as an attack against all three, a provision broadly comparable to NATO’s Article 5 collective-defence principle. It also calls for enhanced cooperation across defence-related areas.
According to the Turkish foreign ministry source cited by Reuters, Monday’s discussions are expected to focus on enhancing defence capabilities, improving interoperability between the three armed forces and expanding cooperation in the defence industry, including joint production and development.
Dar arrives in Istanbul
Dar arrived in Istanbul on Sunday after concluding an official visit to the United Kingdom, the Foreign Office said.
He was received by Turkish Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration Brigadier General Senol Varol, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye Dr Yousaf Junaid, Turkish Foreign Ministry Ambassador Cihad Erginay and other senior Turkish government officials.
“Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar arrived in Istanbul, Türkiye today for official engagements,” the Foreign Office said in a post on X.
Dar’s arrival comes as Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt prepare for another round of regional consultations in Istanbul.
The Foreign Office had earlier said Dar accepted an invitation from Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to attend the R4 meeting involving Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
The grouping has focused on regional security and diplomatic efforts, including attempts to facilitate dialogue over the conflict between the United States and Iran.
Dar had also spoken separately with Fidan and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Friday, with the discussions focusing on the evolving regional situation and preparations for the forthcoming R4 meeting.
Defence pact adds new dimension to regional talks
The Istanbul meeting carries added significance following the signing of the Makkah defence agreement, which brought together three strategically important Muslim-majority countries with significant military and economic capabilities.
The agreement was signed in Makkah by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The pact is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against aggression and deepen defence cooperation among the three states. Pakistan has described it as purely defensive and said it is not directed against any particular country.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had earlier said the agreement is technically comparable to NATO’s Article 5 but is not aimed at Iran.
Turkiye has also indicated that the arrangement could eventually be expanded, with Egypt among the countries identified as a potential participant.
The pact was signed amid heightened tensions across the Middle East and an ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. Reuters reported that the three countries have concerns about regional instability.
Wider regional security concerns
The trilateral defence meeting is taking place against the backdrop of stalled negotiations over the Iran conflict and wider instability in the Gulf.
The conflict has raised security concerns for Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states following missile attacks and heightened threats to critical energy infrastructure and shipping routes.
Pakistan, meanwhile, has sought to position itself as a diplomatic bridge in the region, maintaining engagement with both Gulf partners and Iran while supporting efforts aimed at de-escalation.
The R4 mechanism involving Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt emerged earlier this year amid efforts to facilitate mediation between Washington and Tehran.
The previous meeting was held in Cairo in June, when the four countries welcomed the then-emerging Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran
With the latest Istanbul consultations coinciding with the first meeting under the new defence pact, the discussions are expected to cover both immediate regional security concerns and longer-term cooperation among the participating countries.
For Pakistan, Dar’s presence in Istanbul also provides an opportunity to coordinate its diplomatic position with Turkiye and Saudi Arabia at a time of heightened regional tensions, while reinforcing the country’s expanding defence and strategic ties with the two states.
