Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan are set to sign a joint defence agreement in Jeddah on Friday.
The three regional powers are moving to strengthen security cooperation amid the ongoing war between the United States and Iran, which has affected Gulf states and disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, reports AFP.
“It was under discussion for a long time but the latest developments in the region expedites it,” a source said on condition of anonymity.
A second source close to the Saudi government also confirmed, on condition of anonymity, that the agreement would be signed on Friday.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is scheduled to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.
Sharif and Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for a visit that will continue until Saturday, while Erdogan is expected to arrive on Friday, according to the Turkish presidency.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the visit would take place from August 6 to 8.
“Although taking place against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Gulf, the visit will carry significance beyond the immediate crisis and short term considerations,” foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday.
Speculation has grown for months over the possibility of a strategic alliance among the three countries.
Pakistan has been seeking to mediate efforts to end the US-Iran war, while Turkey has taken part in diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war in Gaza.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had already announced a joint defence pact in 2025, a development that attracted attention as Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed country in the Muslim world.
