ISLAMABAD (Urdu Times) Makkah Pact—A Treaty for Peace, Not War

ISLAMABAD (Urdu Times) Establishing peace is far better than winning a war. Pakistan envisions a future free from conflict, where lasting peace is achieved solely through dialogue, mutual trust, and collaborative action. The Makkah Defense Pact is not a treaty for war, but rather an agreement aimed at establishing enduring peace in the region; under this framework, Pakistan remains committed to regional security. Addressing the Global Security Forum in Qatar, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi clarified that this historic agreement was concluded in Makkah in August 2026 between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye. The backdrop for this pact includes the tensions between the United States and Iran that have persisted since February 2026, the prevailing regional uncertainty, and the escalating missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels against the Gulf region. The foundation for this trilateral alliance was laid in a strategic defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September 2025. Its scope was subsequently expanded to include Türkiye, transforming it into a robust, NATO-style defense bloc, wherein an attack on any single member state is considered an attack on all.

During his address, the Interior Minister—referencing this delicate regional context—detailed Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions between the United States and Iran. He noted that the past few years have been a period of profound concern for both the region and the world, during which Pakistan made tireless efforts to bring both nations to the negotiating table. He acknowledged the immense difficulty of this phase of negotiations, noting that the situation became extremely tense on several occasions; however, Pakistan remained steadfast and continued its efforts. Mohsin Naqvi specifically commended Qatar’s sincere diplomatic endeavors to mediate between the United States and Iran. He also highlighted the indispensable role of the Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir—whose personal efforts and engagement in international relations paved the way for peace—noting that he worked alongside the Qatari leadership for 16 consecutive hours during the negotiations in Switzerland. Drawing on his own diplomatic experience, the Interior Minister outlined three fundamental principles essential for lasting peace: first, the doors to dialogue must never be closed; second, trust is the most critical component of any negotiation; and third, sincere efforts from all parties are required to establish peace.

Addressing the scourge of terrorism, Mohsin Naqvi stated that Pakistan has long been a victim of this menace, enduring significant loss of life and material damage—including the sacrifices of thousands of civilians, soldiers, and police personnel. He emphasized that all nations must collaborate to confront this common enemy; terrorism is not merely a national issue but a global challenge, one that necessitates robust and improved intelligence sharing. Highlighting the decades-long service of Pakistani forces in United Nations peacekeeping missions, he reiterated the stance that establishing peace is far superior to winning a war, and that Pakistan aspires to a future free from conflict. However, he noted that lasting peace cannot be achieved overnight or through a single meeting; rather, it requires all stakeholders to demonstrate patience, restraint, and consistency, while fostering mutual trust and undertaking joint initiatives. Pakistan, for its part, will continue to play an impartial and peaceful diplomatic role to shield the region from further instability. Commenting on this significant diplomatic development, prominent political and defense analysts suggest that it would be premature to label the ‘Makkah defense pact’ as a “Muslim NATO.” Nevertheless, it represents a crucial milestone—potentially serving as an alternative to, or a counterbalance against, the American security umbrella in the Middle East. According to experts, Pakistan’s nuclear assets and robust military history lend both symbolic and tangible defensive strength to this alliance—a capacity that aligns with the objectives of nations like Saudi Arabia and Turkey regarding defense manufacturing and intelligence sharing. Analysts further observed that Pakistan’s role in mediating between the United States and Iran clearly demonstrates that Islamabad has no intention of allowing this pact to serve as a frontline against Iran; instead, it seeks to act as a peaceful diplomatic bridge while maintaining a strategic balance. Experts also emphasized that the true success of the Makkah alliance will depend on the restoration of trust and the implementation of sincere, collective measures to address shared threats—essential prerequisites for achieving lasting peace.The Global Security Forum is a prominent annual international conference that serves as a vital platform for discussing the most critical and complex security challenges, diplomatic issues, and strategic alliances facing the global community. This prestigious forum is held annually in Doha, the capital of Qatar, and is co-hosted by the renowned international think tank, The Soufan Center, and the Qatar International Academy for Security Studies.

The forum brings together high-ranking government officials, interior ministers, defense and security experts, intellectuals, and policymakers from over 100 countries across the globe.

The primary theme for the 8th Global Security Forum (2026) is “The Future of Alliances.” Discussions under this theme examine the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, regional conflicts, and the pressures facing the credibility of international institutions. The forum emphasizes the pivotal role of mutual trust, diplomacy, and mediation—rather than war or the use of force—in resolving conflicts. Pakistan has been an active participant in this forum. At the current edition, Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, participated and presented Pakistan’s key stance on de-escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, while also highlighting the peaceful objectives of the Makkah Defense Pact. The 8th edition of the Global Security Forum is taking place from October 19 to 21, 2026, at the Fairmont Hotel in Doha, centered on the theme “The Future of Alliances.” This year, the forum is taking place at a critical juncture where international laws, traditional alliances, and global institutions are under intense geopolitical pressure and the impact of regional wars. In this context, the forum’s agenda, the regional conflicts under discussion, and the opening remarks by the Prime Minister of Qatar hold immense significance for regional security. Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, formally inaugurated the forum. In his address, he emphasized that the international community urgently needs to re-evaluate traditional concepts of security, stability, and the international order. He stated unequivocally that current geopolitical shifts are testing the credibility of international institutions, and that the only path toward establishing sustainable regional and global security lies exclusively in diplomacy, dialogue, and sincere mediation. The Qatari leadership affirmed that the country will continue to play an active role as a peaceful diplomatic hub, dedicated to strengthening global alliances and de-escalating tensions. Among the regional conflicts addressed on this year’s agenda, the most prominent issue is the recent conflict between the United States and Iran and its aftermath. The forum features detailed discussions on the February 2026 airstrikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, the Geneva Agreement, and the subsequent peace negotiations held at Lake Lucerne (Switzerland)—facilitated through the joint mediation efforts of Pakistan and Qatar. On this occasion, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, emphasized the need for a security framework among Gulf nations that includes Iran, in order to ensure non-aggression within the Gulf. He revealed that even after an attack on a Qatari vessel—which occurred shortly after the Geneva agreement—Doha maintained high-level communication channels with Tehran, despite all their existing differences.

Other key agenda items at the forum include the missile and drone attacks carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels against commercial shipping routes and critical infrastructure in the Gulf region and the Red Sea—attacks that have raised concerns regarding their economic impact. Furthermore, the forum is examining the security of energy supplies, maritime trade chokepoints, and vital corridors through the lens of “strategic interdependence.” Delegations from over 100 countries are also engaging in in-depth discussions on topics such as the growing influence of non-state actors, cybersecurity, the use of artificial intelligence in warfare and defense, and the mounting pressure on international institutions exerted by emerging powers.The future of alliances serves as the central agenda for the Global Security Forum. This theme has been selected against the backdrop of rapidly shifting global geopolitics, regional conflicts, and mounting pressures on international partnerships. With the rise of new global powers, intensifying competition between superpowers, and the growing uncertainty surrounding traditional security guarantees, the credibility, mutual trust, and legitimacy of long-standing global alliances are being re-evaluated. The Forum aims to explore how these alliances can be sustained amidst current crises or adapted to meet the demands of a new era. Discussions encompass the perspective of NATO and the role of intelligence networks—such as the “Five Eyes”—to understand how multilateral institutions and nations can collectively safeguard sovereignty, vital maritime trade routes, and critical infrastructure.

Beyond traditional military alliances, the theme also addresses the operationalization of joint defense capabilities to counter the growing influence of non-state actors and the proliferation of emerging defense technologies, including drone systems and artificial intelligence. A significant portion of the discourse on the “future of alliances” focuses on how robust regional alliances can serve as diplomatic bridges and honest mediators—helping to prevent wars, de-escalate tensions, and bring adversarial powers (such as the United States and Iran) to the negotiating table. Ultimately, this theme underscores the reality that, in an ever-changing world, no nation can confront security challenges in isolation. The future of international security hinges on whether the mutual commitments and alliances between nations remain merely on paper or are translated into concrete, practical action.