Pakistan will provide the support needed to protect Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security, DG ISPR Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry says amid Houthi attacks.
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan is providing and will continue to provide the support Saudi Arabia needs for its defence, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said, amid attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels against the kingdom.
In an interview with Independent Arabia aired on Sunday, the military spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the security of Islam’s two holiest sites in Makkah and Madinah.
Chaudhry said Pakistan’s support for the kingdom was a firm commitment, adding that the details and precise scale of assistance provided under defence arrangements were not publicly quantified.
Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence cooperation
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, while Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are also cooperating under the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance.
According to Chaudhry, the three-country alliance is defensive in nature and is intended to strengthen collective deterrence rather than pursue offensive action against another country.
He said the arrangement sends a message that an attack against any participating country could trigger a collective response.
The DG ISPR also referred to Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which recognises the inherent right of individual and collective self-defence in the event of an armed attack.
He warned that if deterrence failed, the participating countries would take the steps available to them to restore it.
Pakistan calls for restraint amid regional tensions
Addressing the wider Middle East situation, Chaudhry said Pakistan had been engaging with the parties involved, including Iran, to encourage restraint and prevent further escalation.
He emphasised that expanding the conflict to additional countries or areas would not resolve the underlying tensions.
The military spokesperson also rejected the suggestion that the Makkah alliance was directed at a particular country, saying its stated objective was to promote regional peace, stability and security.
His remarks come amid continuing concerns about regional hostilities and their potential impact on security across the Gulf and surrounding areas.
Makkah alliance and collective deterrence
Earlier in October, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye convened an emergency meeting under the Makkah Defence Alliance and agreed to facilitate the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia, according to Dawn’s report.
The alliance aims to strengthen collective deterrence and cooperation among its participating countries.
Chaudhry said the arrangement could remain open to other countries that share its objectives and principles. However, he noted that decisions on expanding membership would rest with the political, strategic and military leadership of the existing members.
The report did not specify the exact number of personnel, equipment or other military resources Pakistan is currently providing to Saudi Arabia.
Call for unity among Muslim countries
The DG ISPR urged Muslim countries to avoid further escalation and work towards resolving disputes through dialogue.
He said Pakistan had consistently encouraged the parties involved in regional tensions to reduce hostilities and seek a negotiated outcome.
Chaudhry reiterated that Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security remained firm, while maintaining that the defence alliance was intended to support collective deterrence and regional stability.
