ISLAMABAD - The Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has described the protection of the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah as a great honor for Pakistan and the entire Muslim Ummah, emphasizing that any threat to Saudi Arabia would be considered a direct threat to Pakistan.

Pakistan Army spokesperson DG ISPR once spoke about the protection of the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah 🇵🇰🇸🇦

“Protecting the two holy mosques from any threat is a great honor for Pakistan and the entire Muslim Ummah.” pic.twitter.com/C2Gsj95286

- Zard si Gana (@ZardSi) September 15, 2026

During a press conference, the DG ISPR stated that the strategic mutual defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reflects decades of deep cooperation and partnership. He noted that Pakistan takes great pride in being regarded as a protector of the Two Holy Mosques, calling it a great honor for every Pakistani and every Muslim.

The military spokesperson further emphasized that if the Holy Mosques were ever threatened, Pakistan and its armed forces would stand for their defense, adding that the protection of Harmain Sharifain is closely linked with Saudi Arabia's national security.

Historical Context

The foundation for this commitment was laid on September 17, 2025, when Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement in Riyadh. The landmark pact declared that "any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both."

The agreement was signed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, building on nearly eight decades of close ties and Islamic solidarity.

Field Marshal Munir's Earlier Remarks

Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Defence Forces, had earlier articulated this position at the National Ulema Conference in Islamabad in December 2025. He stated that among the 57 Islamic countries, "God gave us the honour of being the protectors of Haramain Sharifain" - a reference to Makkah and Madinah.

His address also included the assertion that "in any Islamic state, no one except the state has the authority to declare jihad or issue a fatwa."

Makkah Defence Alliance

This commitment has now been institutionalized through the Makkah Defence Alliance, formally established in August 2026. The trilateral pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye includes a collective defense clause stipulating that an armed attack against any one member will be treated as an attack against all.

Under the alliance's structure, Pakistan will provide the first Secretary General for a three-year term, with the permanent secretariat based in Riyadh