Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated on Wednesday that the time had come to implement the Makkah Agreement after a recent attempted drone strike near the holy city. He emphasized that Pakistan is obligated to uphold the pact, though he refrained from revealing its specifics. Asif underscored that protecting the holy sites is a fundamental duty that transcends any formal agreement.

His comments followed Saudi Arabia’s announcement that its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Makkah before it could enter restricted airspace. This incident marked the second attempt by Houthi forces to target the city, the Saudi-led coalition spokesperson. However, Houthi representatives denied targeting the sacred sites, with spokesman Yahya Saree asserting their operations focus solely on Saudi oil facilities and military bases, which are distant from the holy locations.

Earlier the same day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Saudi Arabia’s defence, declaring that Islamabad stands “shoulder to shoulder” with Riyadh. He condemned the drone attack as a “dastardly and heinous” act against Makkah and called on all parties to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation. The prime minister highlighted the region’s extensive suffering from conflict and stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable paths to peace.

During the programme, Asif explained that the Makkah pact entails mutual defence if any of the three signatory countries’ territorial integrity or borders are violated, emphasizing there is no ambiguity regarding its application. While Pakistan will not disclose details of its defence or military strategies publicly, Asif reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the agreement.

Addressing concerns about Iran’s role amid Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, Asif revealed that Pakistan had communicated Saudi Arabia’s message to Tehran. He expressed skepticism that Iran, as a state actor, would open another front in the region, noting Tehran’s existing entanglements in regional conflicts. He differentiated between the Iranian government and non-state groups that might act independently without formal state approval.

Asif assessed that Iran’s direct involvement in the conflict would be unwise given its diplomatic relations with other countries, and he viewed the likelihood of Iran opening a new front as minimal. He stressed Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to prevent the conflict from expanding further.

On the broader regional security landscape, Asif highlighted the trilateral defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey as a significant development reflecting countries’ evolving security priorities. He suggested that additional defence collaborations might emerge as regional states seek to address their security challenges collectively, particularly in countering non-state armed groups.

Asif also pointed to disruptions in key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, which are impacting trade and economies throughout the region. He noted that these disruptions are especially consequential for Pakistan’s economy, emphasizing the critical need to keep maritime trade routes open to maintain regional economic stability.