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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as a significant step towards greater regional unity and peace, saying the pact has brought the three countries closer. The prime minister made the remarks on Friday during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Engineer Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad. The Makkah agreement was signed on Aug 7 by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Makkah. The agreement provides a framework for stronger collective defence cooperation and states that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all. Sharif said the agreement had further strengthened the strategic relationship among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye while conveying a message of unity and peace across the region. The prime minister also stressed that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia should now build on their strategic partnership by expanding economic and agricultural cooperation. He said stronger trade and investment ties could help transform the longstanding relationship between the two countries into a broader and more mutually beneficial economic partnership. Focus on agriculture and food security Agriculture emerged as a key area of discussion during the meeting, with both sides reviewing ways to increase cooperation in agricultural productivity, technology, research and development, and efficient water management. Sharif expressed satisfaction with the ongoing cooperation over Pakistani agricultural exports to Saudi Arabia. He said Islamabad was keen to expand the range and volume of agricultural products supplied to the Kingdom. Pakistan has increasingly sought to strengthen its economic relationship with Saudi Arabia beyond traditional financial and energy cooperation, with agriculture and food security offering significant opportunities for both sides. The prime minister announced that a delegation of Pakistani agricultural experts would soon travel to Riyadh to continue discussions and explore practical areas of cooperation. The delegation is expected to focus on improving agricultural productivity through modern technology, research and more efficient use of water resources. The Saudi minister, meanwhile, reaffirmed Riyadh’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Pakistan in agriculture, water management and food security, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. A broader strategic partnership The meeting reflects Islamabad’s effort to translate its close political and strategic ties with Riyadh into greater commercial and economic engagement. Saudi Arabia has historically remained one of Pakistan’s most important partners, providing financial support and assistance during periods of economic pressure. In recent years, however, both countries have increasingly emphasised investment, trade and private-sector partnerships. The latest discussions also come shortly after the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, which marked a new phase in security cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has described the agreement as defensive in nature, saying it is intended to strengthen collective deterrence and promote regional peace and stability rather than target any particular country. For Islamabad, the challenge now will be to convert the political momentum generated by the Makkah pact into tangible economic gains. The planned visit by Pakistani agricultural experts to Riyadh could provide an early test of that approach, particularly as both countries seek greater cooperation in food security, water management, agricultural technology and exports. The meeting therefore carried significance beyond diplomatic messaging, highlighting Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s shared interest in developing a relationship that combines strategic cooperation with stronger economic ties. As regional security concerns continue to shape diplomacy in the Middle East and beyond, Islamabad appears keen to present the Makkah pact not simply as a defence arrangement, but as part of a wider push for stability, cooperation and closer partnerships among the three countries.