3 weeks ago
Pakistan's 'One Shield' Anthem for Saudi-Turkey Pact Draws Ridicule
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey made a special promise to help protect each other.
That promise is called the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.
To celebrate, Pakistan's army made a big music video.
The video is called 'ONE SHIELD' and looks like a movie.
It shows fighter jets, drones, warships and leaders from all three countries.
The song says they share one heart and follow the same religion.
But many people thought the video was funny instead of serious, and it became a target of jokes and memes.
Some people said the video did not match real life because Pakistan is having money problems.
Iran also criticized the agreement, saying it would not keep Saudi Arabia safe.
So a video meant to show strength ended up causing laughter and arguments.
Pakistan's military media wing ISPR released a seven-minute anthem, 'ONE SHIELD - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia - Turkiye,' on August 7, days after the three countries signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.
The video, subtitled 'The Great Alliance of Islam,' celebrates the pact's collective defence clause, under which an armed attack on one member is treated as an attack on all three.
It features Pakistani JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, Turkish drones, Saudi fighter aircraft and naval vessels, along with leaders Shehbaz Sharif, Mohammed bin Salman, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Asim Munir.
The production drew memes, parody videos and criticism on X, YouTube and Instagram, with critics calling it grandiose and contrasting it with Pakistan's reliance on IMF assistance amid inflation, fiscal strain and energy problems.
Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei dismissed the pact as a 'paper agreement' that will not bring Saudi Arabia security, noting years of Saudi dependence on Washington failed to do so.
- Who
- Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), which produced the anthem and featured leaders Shehbaz Sharif, Mohammed bin Salman, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Asim Munir; Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei responded with criticism.
- What
- The release of a seven-minute patriotic music video anthem celebrating the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, which immediately drew memes, parody videos and criticism on social media.
- Where
- Released by Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations; the agreement involves Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, with reactions across social media and from Iran.
- When
- The anthem was released on August 7, days after the pact was signed.
- Why
- To promote the new trilateral collective defence arrangement, but the lavish production drew mockery amid Pakistan's economic troubles and criticism from Iran.
Critics and Iran
Proponents of the pact
Promoting a defence pact
Critics and Iran
Critics questioned why a major security agreement was being promoted through a blockbuster-style music video, calling the presentation grandiose and out of touch with the economic realities facing ordinary Pakistanis.
Proponents of the pact
Pakistan's military presented the anthem as a patriotic celebration of the pact, which it framed as a step towards stronger collective deterrence.
The alliance's security value
Critics and Iran
Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei called the deal 'a paper agreement' that will not bring security, pointing out that years of Saudi dependence on Washington failed to deliver security.
Proponents of the pact
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey presented the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement as a serious security arrangement that strengthens collective deterrence.
Key facts
- Anthem title
- ONE SHIELD - Pakistan - Saudi Arabia - Turkiye
- Subtitle
- The Great Alliance of Islam; also referred to as 'We Are All One'
- Release date
- August 7
- Producer
- Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), with Pakistan Studio HD
- Agreement celebrated
- Mecca Joint Defence Agreement
- Collective defence clause
- An armed attack on one member is treated as an attack on all three
- Video length
- Seven minutes
- Featured leaders
- Shehbaz Sharif, Mohammed bin Salman, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Asim Munir
Quotes
Ebrahim Rezaei
Iranian MP and member of Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission
“"Saudis must know that a paper agreement with Turkey and Pakistan will not bring them security."”
NDTV
Sources
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