ISLAMABAD: Pakistan remains committed “in intent and spirit” to implementing its Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and the trilateral Makkah Defence Alliance, the Foreign Office said on Thursday.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan made the statement during his weekly briefing amid renewed Saudi-Houthi tensions.
A Saudi-led coalition recently accused the Houthis of launching a drone towards Makkah, a claim the Yemeni group rejected as false.
Asked how Pakistan could help counter attacks against Saudi Arabia, Khan reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to the defence arrangements but declined to disclose operational details.
He said questions concerning when, where and how forces might be used required operational confidentiality.
Pakistan Calls Bab al-Mandeb Situation ‘Exceptionally Serious’
Meanwhile, Khan described developments around Bab al-Mandeb as “exceptionally serious” and called on the Houthis to halt their activities.
However, he stressed that Pakistan favoured restoring regional peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy rather than coercive measures.
Khan said stability remained important not only for Pakistan and Iran but also for the wider region.
PM Shehbaz to Lead Pakistan Delegation at UNGA
Additionally, the Foreign Office confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lead Pakistan’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly session in New York next week.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and several federal ministers will accompany him.
According to the Foreign Office, Shehbaz will address regional and global developments while emphasising dialogue, diplomacy, restraint and peaceful dispute resolution.
Furthermore, he is expected to discuss sustainable development, climate change, counter-terrorism, Islamophobia, UN reforms and economic challenges facing the Global South.
The prime minister will also raise Kashmir and Palestine and hold bilateral meetings with world leaders and the UN secretary general.
