Pakistan Reaffirms Saudi Security Support Under Makkah Pact

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security after recent Houthi attacks targeted key airport facilities in the kingdom. The statement came as regional tensions around Yemen continued to deepen and as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye moved to operationalise their joint defence understanding.

The prime minister condemned attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport, saying such strikes threatened civilian life and regional stability. Saudi civil aviation authorities said the attacks caused casualties, with one person killed and eight wounded in Riyadh and two people killed and 28 injured at Abha airport.

Shehbaz praised Saudi forces and the coalition for intercepting multiple ballistic missiles and for efforts to protect civilians and critical infrastructure. He said Pakistan stood with the Saudi leadership and people and supported the kingdom’s right to defend its cities, population and vital installations.

The remarks were linked to the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, under which Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye have committed to a closer security framework. The prime minister said Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity and security remained resolute under the agreement and recent decisions taken by its Strategic Political and Defence Committee.

The latest development follows an emergency meeting in Riyadh where the three countries agreed to ensure rapid deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia. The Foreign Office said the deployment framework would proceed under approved arrangements and in line with the national laws of the participating states.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has separately said Pakistan and Turkiye are supporting Saudi Arabia in operations against Houthis in Yemen, while Saudi forces remain directly engaged in combat. He described the Pakistani and Turkish role as supportive, including reconnaissance and other assistance requested by Riyadh.

For Pakistan, the issue carries diplomatic and security weight because Saudi Arabia remains one of Islamabad’s closest strategic partners. The reaffirmation also signals that Pakistan intends to remain visibly aligned with Riyadh at a time when missile and drone threats from Yemen have intensified pressure on Gulf security.

The next phase will depend on how the three countries translate the Makkah pact into practical military coordination. Islamabad is expected to continue backing de-escalation publicly while maintaining security cooperation with Saudi Arabia under the agreed defence framework.