Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared on Wednesday that Pakistan stands firmly with Saudi Arabia against any threats, emphasizing that “any adversary of Saudi Arabia is also an adversary of Pakistan.” He strongly condemned Yemen’s Houthi group for launching attacks on the Kingdom, asserting Pakistan’s unwavering support for Riyadh in the face of aggression.
Asif stated there is no doubt that the Houthis are engaging in hostile actions against Saudi Arabia, and Islamabad is prepared to assist Riyadh in any conflict, whether the threat originates from the Houthis, a state, or any other entity jeopardizing Saudi security. His comments come amid escalating tensions following renewed cross-border assaults by the Houthis.
In a significant development, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye signed the Makkah trilateral agreement on August 7, establishing a framework for collective security and defense cooperation. This pact, known as the Makkah Defence Alliance, declares that an armed attack on any of the three nations will be considered an attack on all.
The Houthis have intensified their campaign by conducting repeated missile and drone strikes against Saudi Arabia since imposing a naval blockade in July. Their operations have targeted Saudi-affiliated vessels in the Red Sea, as well as airports, energy installations, and other critical infrastructure. Saudi air defense systems have intercepted many of these projectiles.
Asif highlighted that the alliance between Islamabad and Riyadh ensures Pakistan will make all available resources accessible to Saudi Arabia if its security is threatened. “We will be there to defend them. Being bound by this arrangement means that whatever means we have at our disposal will also be available to Saudi Arabia,” he explained.
The defence minister underscored that Pakistan perceives any threat to Saudi Arabia as a direct threat to its own security. “Regarding the Houthis, they are enemies of Saudi Arabia, and any enemy of Saudi Arabia is an enemy of Pakistan. This must be unequivocally understood,” he added.
Addressing Iran’s connection to the Houthis, Asif noted that Tehran does not officially recognize the group as its proxy. He remarked that state-backed armed groups can sometimes evolve into autonomous actors. “Iranians do not accept them as proxies. Often, proxies become rogue entities, acting independently from their sponsors. History offers numerous examples of this phenomenon,” he said.
Earlier in September, Asif emphasized the urgency of implementing the Makkah agreement following an attempted drone strike near the holy city. Speaking on a television program on September 16, he affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the pact, though he refrained from disclosing specific details.
He further stressed that Pakistan does not require any formal agreement to protect the holy sites, asserting that safeguarding them is a fundamental duty. “If Makkah is attacked, there is no need for an agreement to defend it,” Asif concluded.
