WorldPosted at: Sep 17 2026 8:58PM


Pakistan says it remains committed to implementing defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Mecca Defence Pact

Islamabad, Sep 17 (UNI) Pakistan on Thursday said it remained committed "in intent and spirit" to implementing the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) with Saudi Arabia and the trilateral Makkah Defence Alliance, as renewed Houthi attacks intensified concerns over the kingdom's security.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan made the statement during his weekly briefing, saying Islamabad's defence relationship with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye remained longstanding and that the Makkah agreement was intended to further strengthen existing cooperation.
The statement came amid intensifying attacks by Yemen's Houthi militants against Saudi Arabia. A day earlier, the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis accused the group of attempting to target Makkah, prompting widespread condemnation across the Muslim world. The Houthis denied the allegation and called Riyadh's account a "lie".
Asked whether Pakistan had developed a mechanism to help prevent further Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, Khan said Islamabad was committed to implementing both defence agreements.
"However, when, how, where and what force will be used against what objectives, in which modes and matters -operational confidentiality requires us to be discreet at this stage," he said.
Khan said Pakistan had long advocated dialogue and diplomacy as the way to reduce regional tensions. He described the security situation around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait as "exceptionally serious" and called on the Houthis to "stop their activities".
"Our discussions basically revolve around bringing peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy and not through coercive measures," he said.
The Foreign Office said the Makkah agreement, which is focused on defence and security cooperation between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, is intended to expand areas including training, capacity building, defence technology and research, while collectively deterring actions that could destabilise regional security.
Islamabad claims that the agreement is defensive in nature and is not directed against any particular country.
Khan also confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lead Pakistan's delegation to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York next week. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and several federal ministers are expected to accompany him.
According to the FO, Sharif will use his UNGA address to "highlight Pakistan's perspective on regional and global developments, reaffirming the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and restraint and peaceful resolution of issues".
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