PM Shehbaz Strongly Condemns Attempted Drone Attack Near Makkah
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday strongly condemned what Saudi authorities described as an attempted drone attack targeting Makkah, reaffirming Pakistan’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its commitment to the protection and sanctity of Islam’s holy sites.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the prime minister described the incident as a “dastardly and heinous attempted drone attack” against the holy site of Makkah Al-Mukarramah. He said the people of Pakistan were deeply saddened and disturbed by the incident.
Shehbaz said Pakistan stood unwaveringly alongside Saudi Arabia over the protection and sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques, according to Express Urdu.
He also expressed solidarity with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, and the Saudi people.
The prime minister’s statement followed an announcement by the Saudi-led coalition that Saudi air defences had intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Makkah before it entered the holy city’s restricted airspace.
According to Saudi coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki, the drone was intercepted at around 6:50pm on Tuesday, September 15, while approaching Makkah’s prohibited airspace. Debris from the intercepted aircraft fell south of the city.
Saudi authorities attributed the drone to Yemen’s Houthi movement and described the incident as an attempt to target Makkah. The coalition said protecting Masjid al-Haram, the holy sites, worshippers and pilgrims remained a red line.
No strike on Makkah or damage to its holy sites was reported.
Pakistan Reaffirms Saudi Solidarity
Shehbaz’s latest remarks are consistent with Pakistan’s recent diplomatic position as tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have intensified.
On September 8, the prime minister condemned Houthi attacks targeting civilian and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the kingdom’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
Earlier, during a July conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Shehbaz also condemned Houthi attacks against Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and said such actions threatened freedom of navigation, commercial shipping and regional security.
The latest incident carries additional sensitivity because it occurred close to Makkah, home to Masjid al-Haram and the Kaaba.
For accurate reporting, however, the distinction between an attempted attack and an actual strike on Makkah is essential.
Saudi authorities say the drone was intercepted south of the city before entering its restricted airspace. There is no verified report that the drone reached Makkah, struck Masjid al-Haram or caused casualties or physical damage.
Pakistan’s condemnation comes as Islamabad has strengthened defence and security coordination with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye under the recently established Makkah defence framework. DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Wednesday that the trilateral arrangement was intended for collective deterrence and had no offensive regional ambitions.
The latest Pakistani statement therefore reinforces Islamabad’s publicly stated position of supporting Saudi Arabia’s security while attaching particular importance to the protection and sanctity of Makkah and Madinah’s holy sites.
