SAUDI ARABIA, TURKEY AND PAKISTAN TO SIGN JOINT DEFENCE PACT

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan will sign a joint defence agreement in Jeddah on Friday, according to sources close to the Saudi military and government. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to formalise the pact. Pakistani army chief Asim Munir arrived in the kingdom on Thursday, with the visit lasting until Saturday, whilst Erdoğan is expected on Friday. Pakistan's foreign ministry confirmed the visit runs from 6 to 8 August.

The agreement aims to strengthen regional security ties amid heightened tensions in the Gulf and broader Middle Eastern instability. Sources said the accord had been under discussion for some time but recent regional developments accelerated its finalisation. The three nations have faced months of speculation regarding a potential strategic alliance. Pakistan has sought to mediate efforts to end the US-Iran conflict, whilst Turkey has engaged in diplomatic negotiations over the Gaza war. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan announced a joint defence pact in 2025, a development that drew significant attention given Pakistan's status as the Muslim world's only nuclear-armed state.

Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi stated on Thursday that although the visit takes place against a backdrop of heightened Gulf tensions, it would carry significance beyond the immediate crisis and short-term considerations. The agreement comes as regional security concerns intensify, including attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels and ongoing disputes over maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices rose on Friday amid concerns over proposed restrictions on vessel transit through the strait, with Brent crude futures climbing 1.2 per cent to $83.48 per barrel.