Pakistan reaffirms commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security under Makkah defense pact

ISLAMABAD (AA) – Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security under the Makkah Defense Alliance amid escalating tensions between Riyadh and Yemen’s Houthi group.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the alliance as a historic milestone for regional peace, unity and stability during a meeting Wednesday with its newly appointed secretary general, retired Lt. Gen. Nauman Mahmood, in Islamabad.

According to the prime minister’s office, Mahmood briefed Sharif on plans to strengthen defense and strategic cooperation among alliance members.

Mahmood was appointed in August as the first secretary general of the trilateral defense alliance involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

The pact establishes a collective defense arrangement under which an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all.

Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s “unwavering commitment” to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, pledging that Islamabad would stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Riyadh.

The meeting comes as Saudi Arabia faces renewed missile and drone attacks by the Houthis following the collapse of a truce in July.

The Yemeni group has repeatedly targeted Saudi airports, oil facilities and commercial tankers in recent weeks.

On Wednesday, the Saudi-led military coalition said it intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile heading toward Riyadh, shortly after warning alerts were activated in the capital and nearby Al-Kharj governorate.

Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government since 2015 against the Houthis, who have controlled the capital, Sanaa, and several other provinces since 2014.