Pakistan appoints secretary-general of the Mecca Defense Alliance
Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the appointment of the first secretary-general of the Mecca Defense Alliance, created under the Joint Defense Agreement signed by Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.
Retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood has been appointed secretary-general of the Alliance, whose headquarters is located in Riyadh.
The post of secretary-general will be held in turn by a representative of each of the three countries. A representative of Pakistan will hold the position for the first term of three years.
On August 7, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signed the Joint Defense Agreement in Mecca.
The document was concluded amid growing instability in the region and on the international stage. The agreement is aimed at strengthening security, peace, stability, and prosperity, as well as developing the joint deterrent capabilities of the three countries.
Under the agreement, an attack on any of the participating states will be regarded as an attack on all parties.
The document also provides for the development of cooperation in the region and allows for the participation of states and other entities that comply with the norms of international law and share the principles of peaceful cooperation.
