More than six Muslim countries are interested in joining the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said.

Axar.az reports, citing Pakistani media, that speaking at a press conference, Dar said Pakistan was committed to defending Saudi Arabia under the agreement, noting that Saudi Arabia had come under 17 to 18 attacks on September 21 and 22.

“We are bound to defend Saudi Arabia. At least more than six Muslim countries are interested in joining the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. It would not be appropriate to disclose the names of these countries at this time,” Dar said.

Dar said the agreement was signed in Mecca on August 7 and that work on establishing its structure and procedures would be completed soon. He added that it had been agreed that Pakistan would provide the pact’s first secretary-general for a three-year term.

He said the agreement was similar in principle to collective-defense arrangements such as NATO and was permitted under the UN Charter.