Pakistan’s Response to Bangladesh’s Interest in the Makkah Pact
Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, announced that if member states show interest in joining the Makkah Joint Defense Pact, Dhaka will review the issue positively. Speaking at the 13th National Parliament’s third session, Dr. Khalilur Rahman made it clear that Bangladesh has not yet received a formal proposal to join the alliance. He explained the proposal as an internal Muslim matter and a self-defense measure, pointing out that extensive debates about its benefits and drawbacks are inappropriate until an official invitation is received.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Humayun Kabir, and political leader, Ms. Shama Obaid, have previously expressed similar concerns about Bangladesh’s potential participation in the regional security framework. According to the administration, commitment to such an agreement is largely dependent on the collective desire of current member countries. Dhaka’s leadership has demonstrated a strong willingness to interact with regional partners to promote wider security cooperation, even though the diplomatic foundation is still being formed.
In the meantime, Pakistan has made its stand on Bangladesh’s possible alliance membership publicly clear for the first time. During a regular briefing in Islamabad, Pakistan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Mr. Tahir Andrabi, emphasized that any nation that believes in shared security interests and common responsibilities will have its application reviewed. Given the dynamic character of the defense system, he noted that choices on new members will be made in close consultation with important allies in Riyadh and Ankara.
The Makkah Joint Defense Pact is a strictly defensive structure designed to maintain peace and guarantee regional stability, according to Mr. Tahir Andrabi. He stated that while structural components are still being developed, the pact’s successful implementation is still in its early stages. The cooperative security architecture is seen by both Dhaka and Islamabad as an inclusive platform that aims to improve strategic stability and mutual defense among the member states.
