Pakistan Backs Saudi Arabia on Holy Mosques Security, Urges Houthis to Halt Attacks
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan has reaffirmed its full support for Saudi Arabia in safeguarding its sovereignty and the security and sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques, while calling on Yemen’s Houthis to halt attacks amid a sharp escalation in regional tensions.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan, speaking at his weekly briefing on Thursday, said Pakistan remained fully committed to supporting Saudi Arabia and was concerned about the continuing escalation and its consequences for regional peace, security and energy supplies.
The Foreign Office said the Houthis needed to stop their activities and reiterated Islamabad’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Pakistan also stressed that peace and stability were in the interests of the entire region, including Pakistan and Iran.
Islamabad further said it remained committed to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, although the Foreign Office declined to disclose operational details relating to how the arrangement could be implemented in response to attacks against a member state.
The comments follow what Saudi authorities described as an attempted Houthi drone attack targeting Makkah. Saudi air defences said they intercepted and destroyed a drone south of the holy city before it entered prohibited airspace. The Houthis have denied targeting Makkah or other Islamic holy sites.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the reported attempt on Wednesday and said Pakistan stood “shoulder to shoulder” with Saudi Arabia in defence of its sovereignty, territorial integrity and the security and sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also issued an official statement condemning what Pakistan described as a Houthi drone attack targeting Makkah. He said such an act violated Saudi sovereignty, threatened regional security and offended the religious sentiments of Muslims worldwide.
At the same time, Pakistan has urged restraint as tensions intensify. Shehbaz called on all parties to step back from further escalation and said dialogue and diplomacy remained the only sustainable route towards regional peace.
The Foreign Office’s remarks underscore Islamabad’s attempt to combine firm security support for Riyadh with calls to prevent a broader regional confrontation.
The situation remains developing, particularly because Saudi Arabia attributes the attempted attack near Makkah to the Houthis while the group disputes that it targeted the holy city. That distinction should remain explicit in continuing coverage.
