Islamabad: Pakistan's top diplomat on Sunday stated that the trilateral Mecca defense agreement, signed last week by Trkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, is "purely" defensive in nature and not directed against any country.

According to Anadolu Agency, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in a statement on US social media platform X, emphasized that the primary objective of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement is to enhance joint efforts towards achieving peace, stability, and prosperity across the wider region. The agreement, finalized by the three countries in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, establishes that an attack on any one of the signatories will be considered an attack on all.

Dar further explained that the defense pact is open to any regional country willing to adhere to its fundamental principles and resolve disputes through "mutual respect, cooperation, and peaceful means." He underscored that, as per the accord, any external armed aggression against any of the three nations would be perceived as an attack on all, aligning with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

He also noted that the pact neither nullifies nor replaces existing bilateral or multilateral agreements involving these countries or other nations or organizations. Dar described the Mecca accord as the result of years of dialogue and coordination, motivated by a shared goal to enhance strategic cooperation in addressing various peace and security challenges and promoting regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

The agreement aligns with Pakistan's foreign policy's core pillars, and Islamabad is eager to continue collaborating with all neighboring countries in the region to achieve lasting peace and stability, Dar remarked. "We remain committed to advancing the cause of peaceful resolution of all conflicts and building a more secure, stable, and prosperous future for our peoples," he concluded.