Shahwana Binte Sohail

Ms Shahwana Binte Sohail is Research Assistant at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad.

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which was signed under Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan on 7 August 2026, is a pivotal step towards enhancing security cooperation in the region. The pact stipulates that an attack on one member will be considered an attack on all and likewise heightens defence cooperation among the members. The deal has significance beyond just symbolism.