Answer Structure for This Topic

1. Context (why the pact happened now)
2. What was signed — parties, date, place
3. Key provisions
4. Strategic rationale for each country
5. Reactions (regional/global)
6. Significance for Pakistan
7. Criticisms/open questions
8. Conclusion

Context / Background

• Signed amid the 2026 Iran war (US/Israel vs Iran, ongoing since 28 February 2026) — heightened regional insecurity across the Gulf
• Saudi Arabia had absorbed repeated missile/drone strikes during the conflict; confidence in US willingness to backstop Gulf security had visibly eroded
• Built on an existing bilateral foundation: the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (Pakistan-Saudi Arabia, signed 17 September 2025, Al-Yamamah Palace, Riyadh) — already committed both states to collective defense
• Followed nearly a year of negotiations before finalization

What Was Signed

• Name: Makkah (Mecca) Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA)
• Date: 7 August 2026
• Location: Al-Safa Palace, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
• Signatories:
  • Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince & PM)
  • President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (Turkiye)
  • PM Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif (Pakistan)