MECCA — Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye inked mutual-defence agreement in Mecca that could become far more consequential than the ceremony surrounding it. Countries such as Egypt, and Oman have been discussed as possible future participants, but none of them has formally joined the pact. Pakistan adds another critical dimension: it is the only nuclear-armed Muslim-majority state, while Türkiye contributes advanced defence technology and a powerful military-industrial base. Pakistan’s leadership has even floated the idea of a broader collective-security framework, a potential “NATO of the Islamic world.” The Pentagon has given officials 21 days to propose ways to accelerate weapons production, expand manufacturing and speed up deliveries of critical munitions.