'It is defensive, nothing aggressive': Pak rushes to define Mecca pact after Houthi attack
Pakistan's military has clarified that the newly formed Mecca Defence Alliance with Saudi Arabia and Turkey is a defensive pact focused on collective deterrence. Officials emphasized that the agreement has no aggressive regional aspirations, though operational details regarding mutual defense obligations remain classified.
Why it matters
The pact faces scrutiny regarding how Pakistan would respond to potential military conflicts involving Saudi Arabia, highlighting regional geopolitical tensions.
Pakistan’s military has rushed to give a definition to the newly formed Mecca Defence Alliance, saying the pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey is meant for collective deterrence and has “no regional aspirations”, even as questions grow over how the agreement would work if one of its members comes under attack.Pakistan’s inter-services public relations (ISPR) director general Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, speaking to Al Arabiya, said the agreement was “defensive” and “complementary” to the three countries’ existing alliances and relationships.“It is defensive. There’s nothing aggressive. There are no regional aspirations. It is collective deterrence,” Chaudhry said.The comments come as the pact faces questions over its first potential test.
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