The Makkah alliance has appointed Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood (Retd), Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military), as its first Secretary-General for a three-year term, marking a significant institutional step for the Makkah Joint Alliance for Defence (MJDA) as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye confront rising regional threats.
The appointment was made during an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee (S-PDC) of the MJDA held in Riyadh on October 5, 2026, convened specifically to address security developments and threats facing Saudi Arabia. The committee welcomed Nauman Mahmood and wished him success in his duties, with the three nations expressing confidence in his ability to advance the alliance and achieve its objectives.
The meeting reviewed the outcomes of political and military consultations conducted ahead of the gathering and approved the recommendations submitted to the committee. Describing the appointment as part of the MJDA’s institutional development, the committee affirmed that the alliance represents a firm commitment to collective defence and a unified position against threats.
The S-PDC decided to move immediately to the practical implementation of collective defence commitments, taking necessary measures to provide agreed military forces and capabilities. These forces will be rapidly deployed in Saudi Arabia in accordance with approved arrangements and the national legislation of the three parties. The measures aim to enhance readiness, military integration and the collective capacity of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye to confront and counter threats.
The parties affirmed that the security of each country is an integral part of the collective security of all three. They stated that translating the Makkah alliance into practical measures demonstrates the credibility of their commitment to collective defence, strengthens the effectiveness of deterrence, and reaffirms their unity and determination to defend their security, sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with the agreement’s provisions.
The three countries strongly condemned the attempted targeting of the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah, as well as continuing attacks targeting cities and civilian and economic facilities in Saudi Arabia. They reaffirmed their unequivocal rejection of any attack or threat against the Kingdom’s security and territorial integrity.
Pakistan and Turkiye commended the vigilance and readiness of the Saudi Armed Forces, as well as the professionalism and high level of competence they have demonstrated in countering threats and attacks facing the Kingdom and safeguarding its security and territorial integrity.
During the meeting, the three countries exchanged views on the latest regional developments and expressed their resolve to work closely for regional peace and stability. Pakistan expressed its unwavering solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its full support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security. Islamabad also reiterated its continued commitment to making all efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.
From the Pakistani side, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the emergency meeting.
The appointment of the Makkah alliance’s first secretary-general and the decision to swiftly implement collective defence measures signal a deepening of trilateral cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. As regional threats persist, the alliance’s institutional development and military integration will be closely watched in the coming months.
Source: Geo News