Pakistan’s ‘One Shield’ Anthem On Saudi-Turkey Defence Pact Sparks Online Backlash
Pakistan’s attempt to promote its new defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey through a patriotic music video has triggered a wave of mockery and criticism online, with users questioning why the agreement needed an elaborate anthem.
Days after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, Islamabad’s military media wing released a seven-minute music video portraying the pact as a powerful new alliance. The agreement, which has been dubbed an “Islamic NATO” by some observers, was promoted through a cinematic production featuring political leaders, religious references and military hardware.
‘One Shield’ Music Video
Titled “ONE SHIELD – Pakistan – Saudi Arabia – Turkiye”, the video carries the subtitle “The Great Alliance of Islam” and also uses the phrase “We Are All One”. Released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on August 7, the video opens with images of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The anthem emphasises the shared Islamic identity of the three nations with the line: “One God, One Prophet, One Holy Quran, One Qibla, Three Flags, One Heart.” The video then shifts focus to military capabilities, showcasing Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, Turkish drones, Saudi fighter aircraft and naval vessels.
Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir also features prominently in the production, reflecting his role in the new defence arrangement.
Anthem Becomes Subject Of Memes
The dramatic presentation soon became a target of online criticism, with users sharing memes and parody videos mocking the decision to promote a military agreement through an anthem. One X user sarcastically remarked that while Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were signing the agreement, Pakistan’s DG ISPR was “apparently busy making a SONG about it”.
Another user joked that the DG ISPR appeared to have “writers, singers and a full music department ready to drop a new anthem for every occasion”. Others focused on the differences in living standards across the three countries, using the anthem’s message of unity as a basis for satire.
What Is The Mecca Defence Agreement?
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement amid heightened tensions in West Asia involving Iran, Israel and the United States. The agreement states that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be considered an attack against all three.
The pact marks a significant expansion of defence cooperation among Islamabad, Riyadh and Ankara and has drawn attention because of its potential impact on the region’s evolving security landscape.
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