Shehbaz Reaffirms Pakistan’s Support for Saudi Security on National Day
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security, saying Islamabad stands “shoulder to shoulder” with the Kingdom as he extended greetings to its leadership and people on Saudi National Day.
In his message on Wednesday, Shehbaz extended felicitations to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi people. He described relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as a historic partnership based on faith, mutual trust and close people-to-people ties.
The prime minister also reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of recent Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including the attempted drone attack targeting Makkah. He said Pakistan remained committed to safeguarding Saudi sovereignty, security and the sanctity of Islam’s holy sites.
Shehbaz said threats to the security and sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain deeply affect Muslims around the world. Pakistan had separately condemned the September 16 attempted drone attack on Makkah, while also calling on parties in the regional conflict to exercise restraint and pursue dialogue.
The prime minister also highlighted the expanding strategic relationship between Islamabad and Riyadh, referring to defence agreements involving the two countries. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have strengthened security coordination amid heightened tensions and attacks on Saudi territory and infrastructure.
Shehbaz said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement as well as the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. The latter, involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, establishes a collective security framework under which an armed attack on one of the three countries is considered an attack on all. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has described the agreement as defensive and not directed against any particular country.
The prime minister praised Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation and modernisation, crediting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership. He said the Kingdom’s development was a source of pride for both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
Pakistan has repeatedly expressed solidarity with Riyadh during the recent regional escalation. On September 8, the Foreign Ministry backed Saudi Arabia’s right to defend its territory, citizens and national assets following Houthi attacks on civilian and economic facilities in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran. Saudi authorities said 73 people were injured in those attacks.
Islamabad also condemned drone attacks on Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline earlier this month, saying the strikes threatened regional peace, security and stability.
Pakistan’s military leadership has separately expressed support for Saudi security. On September 18, military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan would go “to any extent” required to defend Saudi Arabia and the Haramain Sharifain if requested.
At the same time, Pakistan has publicly advocated diplomacy and de-escalation in the wider Middle East conflict. The Foreign Office said on September 17 that Islamabad remained concerned about the implications of continued escalation for regional security, maritime navigation and global energy supplies and continued to support dialogue as a way to resolve differences.
