Pakistan, Aug. 9 -- Egypt could become the next member of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, as Ankara signals plans to expand the alliance across the region. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the agreement follows a mutual defence principle similar to NATO's Article 5. He stressed that the pact does not target Iran or any other country. Instead, it aims to strengthen collective security and deterrence among participating states.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the agreement on Friday, pledging to treat an armed attack against one member as an attack against all three. Fidan said the countries would consult each other after an attack and determine the level and form of assista...