Turkish Parliament Ratifies Joint Defence Pact With Pakistan and Saudi Arabia

ANKARA: The Turkish parliament has ratified the Mecca joint defence pact among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

According to Turkish media, 279 members of the 600-seat Turkish parliament voted in favour of the agreement, while 119 voted against. A total of 398 members took part in the voting.

The chairman of the parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee said the alliance is entirely defensive in nature and is not intended to attack any other country.

Ziya Altunyaldız, a member of the ruling Justice and Development Party, said the agreement aims to promote security cooperation in the region.

Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the agreement in Mecca on 7 August. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the ceremony.