Pakistan’s newest try to put a patriotic spin on its new defence alliance with Saudi Arabia and Turkey has turn into an unlikely supply of on-line amusement.
Days after the three international locations signed the Mecca Joint Defence Settlement, Pakistan’s army media wing launched a seven-minute music video celebrating what it offered as a robust new alliance. As an alternative of merely underlining army cooperation, nevertheless, the cinematic manufacturing shortly grew to become the topic of memes, parody movies and criticism throughout social media.
Titled “ONE SHIELD – Pakistan – Saudi Arabia – Turkiye”, the anthem carries the subtitle “The Nice Alliance of Islam” and can also be known as “We Are All One”. It was launched on August 7 by the Inter-Providers Public Relations (ISPR), in collaboration with Pakistan Studio HD.
پاکستان نے سعودی عرب اور ترکیہ کے ساتھ مشترکہ دفاعی معاہدے پر دستخط کے بعد ہم سب ایک ہیں کے عنوان سے خصوصی نغمہ جاری کردیا@OfficialDGISPR #News #RadioPakistan https://t.co/JWmxgyyCUS pic.twitter.com/tawv2nyGmM
— ریڈیوپاکستان (@PBCofficialNews) August 9, 2026
Orchestral music is combined with Arabic percussion and Urdu-Arabic vocals, whereas the central chorus repeatedly invokes shared non secular id, “One God, One Prophet, One Holy Quran, One Qibla, Three Flags, One Coronary heart.”
In the meantime, the army {hardware} of the international locations will get loads of display screen time. Pakistani JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, Turkish drones, Saudi fighter plane and naval vessels function prominently within the video.
The political and army management of the three international locations additionally seem, together with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Even Pakistan Military chief Area Marshal Asim Munir is closely featured within the video, reflecting his central function within the new defence association.
Why The Anthem Grew to become A Goal
The Mecca Joint Defence Settlement is a severe safety association, with a collective defence provision underneath which an armed assault on one member is to be handled as an assault on all three. Pakistan has offered the clause as a step in the direction of stronger collective deterrence.
In opposition to that backdrop, critics questioned why such a significant defence settlement was being promoted by what seemed extra like a army blockbuster soundtrack than standard diplomatic messaging.
The response on X, YouTube and Instagram ranged from criticism to outright parody, with customers turning clips from the anthem into memes and mocking its grandiose presentation.
You in all probability will not imagine this 🤣
Whereas Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had been signing the settlement, Pakistan’s DG ISPR was apparently busy making a SONG about it. 🎶🫣🤭
Our DG ISPR received writers, singers and a full music division able to drop a brand new anthem for each… pic.twitter.com/WuQOTf9Qz5
— برهان الدین | Burhan uddin (@burhan_uddin_0) August 8, 2026
One consumer wrote, “#DGISPR hai ya nautanki HR division” (Is #DGISPR an HR division or a drama troupe?). One other
The backlash was additionally tied to Pakistan’s tough financial circumstances.
The nation continues to depend on help from the Worldwide Financial Fund and monetary backing from pleasant nations whereas grappling with inflation, fiscal pressure and vitality issues.
That created a clumsy distinction for some viewers. A lavish, military-heavy manufacturing celebrating Pakistan’s strategic power on one aspect and the nation’s persistent financial troubles on the opposite.
A consumer on X wrote, “Completely different meals, Completely different houses, Completely different medical facility, Completely different way of life. Identical identical however completely different.”
Some social media customers accused the marketing campaign of projecting a picture of army may that didn’t match the realities going through abnormal Pakistanis.
Iran Takes Intention At The Alliance
The brand new defence pact has additionally attracted criticism from Iran.
Ebrahim Rezaei, an Iranian lawmaker and member of Parliament’s Nationwide Safety and International Coverage Fee, criticised the settlement in a publish on X.
“Saudis should know {that a} paper settlement with Turkey and Pakistan won’t carry them safety,” Rezaei wrote.
He added that “years of Saudi dependence on Washington did not ship safety” and urged Riyadh to not “beg others for safety”.
Iranian media additionally performed clips picked up from the Pakistani anthem whereas criticising the defence pact.
