ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has said the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is not aimed at any particular country and could be joined by other states that are willing to follow its principles. Referring to Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, the foreign minister said the pact recognises the right of its members to individual and collective self-defence in the event of an armed attack. The agreement was signed in the presence of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has previously indicated that Ankara favours expanding the arrangement, with Egypt mentioned among potential future participants. The Foreign Office has said the agreement seeks to strengthen collective deterrence against aggression while expanding defence cooperation among the three signatories.