After the Battle of Truth, the trajectory taken by Pakistan’s foreign policy has been marked by a significant upward momentum, one important manifestation of which is the Pakistan–Saudi Arabia defense agreement. This agreement was signed in September 2025, and in January 2026 Türkiye expressed its desire to join it. In this context, the concept of an “Islamic NATO” that had emerged during 2017–2018 appears to be gaining renewed life.
If we examine the reasons behind the formation of this defense alliance, it becomes evident that since the United States attacked Venezuela and U.S. President Donald Trump issued aggressive threats regarding Greenland, European countries—already disillusioned with the United States over its retreat on the Ukraine front—began moving away from reliance on the U.S. for their security. They started pursuing independent security strategies, with each country seeking its own path to ensure national security at the international level in the event of any hostile attack.
Similarly, when Israel targeted Qatar, not only Qatar—previously dependent on U.S. alliances for its security—but also other Gulf states began to lose confidence in the United States. This erosion of trust ultimately led Saudi Arabia, long considered a steadfast U.S. ally, to diversify its defense arrangements and extend a hand of partnership to Pakistan. This development can be described as a prime example of effective diplomacy and sound military strategy. Although the United States does not currently appear to have a clear intention of directly occupying Greenland, it remains possible that after escalating its threats to a peak, President Trump may adopt a policy of bargaining and compromise, as was seen in the case of Iran.
Globally, formal defense agreements of this nature—commonly referred to as defense pacts—are rare. The United States has defense agreements with three countries, while Pakistan has such an agreement with Saudi Arabia. This raises the question that if Türkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia become part of a single defense agreement, other OIC countries, recognizing this alliance as a major military force, may also show interest in joining it. For the time being, however, the Pakistan–Saudi alliance appears to be evolving into a trilateral arrangement, which is a positive development.
Pakistan is the country that, in the Battle of Truth, defeated a vastly larger adversary like India. In comparison, Saudi Arabia—another party to this defense agreement—holds undisputed strategic, religious, and economic significance and is regarded as a leading standard-bearer of OIC interests. Türkiye, meanwhile, is already a member of NATO, and under Chapter 8 of the United Nations, which provides for the establishment of regional organizations, as well as under Article 51 of the UN Charter, defense pacts of this nature are permitted. With the alliance of these three countries and the potential inclusion of others, an international organization could be formed. Moreover, the defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan implies that an attack on one country will be considered an attack on the other.
Türkiye’s drone technology, air power, and shipbuilding capabilities are globally acknowledged. Its drones are inexpensive, effective, and autonomous, and they have proven their operational effectiveness in Ukraine, Libya, and Nagorno-Karabakh. Pakistan, in addition to being a nuclear power, manufactures JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, tanks, and missiles. There appears to be no substantial reason for resistance or objection from the international community to the alliance among these three countries. However, adversarial states such as India and Israel are viewing this alliance with concern, particularly because, according to some reports, Pakistan used Turkish drones against Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Despite this, neither country has yet made an official statement against the alliance.
The Pakistan–Saudi Arabia defense agreement was signed in Riyadh by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Its key clause states that aggression against one country will be considered aggression against both, mirroring NATO’s Article 5. The objective of this agreement is to strengthen regional security and promote joint defense cooperation. Pakistan’s Minister for Defense Production, Raza Hayat Haraj, confirmed that after a year of consultations, the three countries have finalized the draft of the agreement. This agreement will be separate from the existing Pakistan–Saudi agreement and will establish a strong alliance against regional tensions. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that negotiations are ongoing and that the Turkish president envisions laying the foundation for a broad platform. According to a Bloomberg News report, this alliance could take the form of a “Muslim NATO,” with the inclusion of other countries such as Egypt and Qatar appearing to be a natural progression.
In the recent past, during 2017–2018, a Saudi Arabia–led Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), often referred to as “Islamic NATO,” had emerged with the objective of conducting joint operations against terrorism. This alliance comprised 41 Muslim countries, and several analysts labeled it Islamic NATO. Now, the Pakistan–Saudi agreement and Türkiye’s expressed desire to join have revived this concept. Experts believe that this alliance could reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa in response to Iranian expansionism and Israeli intervention. This development would also demonstrate the weakening credibility of U.S.-led NATO and highlight the growing autonomy and defensive capabilities of Muslim countries.
