Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed in Islamabad on Friday that more than six countries have expressed interest in joining the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. Addressing a press conference, Dar reiterated that the pact is defensive in nature and not intended for offensive purposes.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye originally signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, weeks before Yemen's Houthis launched attacks against Saudi Arabia. The pact stipulates that an attack on any one of the three member countries will be regarded as an attack on all of them, operating similarly to NATO's Article 5.

Dar announced that the first meeting under the agreement was held on August 31, with the headquarters to be established in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan nominating Lieutenant General (retired) Nauman Mahmood as the first secretary general. An emergency meeting will be held next week to review the situation in Saudi Arabia following 17 to 18 attacks, with Dar stating, "We are bound to defend Saudi Arabia."

Addressing regional matters, Dar stated that Pakistan desires no fee or service charge for crossing the Strait of Hormuz, noted that Iranian leaders want the matter resolved, and demanded that Kabul prevent Afghan territory from being used by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, Balochistan Liberation Army, and Fitna al-Hindustan.