ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has appointed retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood, Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military), as the first Secretary General of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA), the Foreign Office announced on Wednesday.
According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the appointment was made by the Government of Pakistan under the agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Lt Gen Nauman Mahmood will head the alliance’s General Secretariat, which is being set up in Riyadh, the statement said.
The MJDA was signed in Makkah on August 7, 2026, with the three countries agreeing to enhance defence coordination, collective security and regional stability.
Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the member states will be treated as an attack against all three countries.
As part of the pact, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye agreed to establish a permanent secretariat in Saudi Arabia under the leadership of a Secretary General. Pakistan was given the responsibility of providing the first office-holder for an initial three-year term.
The appointment comes as tensions continue to rise in the region.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia and condemned recent Houthi attacks against the kingdom.
In his message marking Saudi National Day on September 23, the prime minister said Pakistan stood firmly with Saudi Arabia in protecting its sovereignty and security.
Shehbaz said any threat to the sanctity and security of the Haramain Sharifain was deeply distressing for Muslims worldwide.
He also mentioned the reported attempted drone attack near Makkah. Saudi authorities said their air defences intercepted the drone, while the Houthis denied that Makkah was the intended target.
The prime minister conveyed his greetings to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi people.
He said Saudi Arabia’s economic and social transformation was a source of pride for both nations, adding that the kingdom was continuing its drive towards development, modernisation and innovation under the crown prince’s leadership.
Shehbaz is currently in New York, where he is attending the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
