Islamabad has renewed its pledge to the Makkah Alliance for Defense, including the protection of the Two Holy Mosques, following Houthi ballistic missile strikes on the Makkah and Madinah regions of Saudi Arabia. Foreign Office spokesperson Ambassador Sajjad Haider Khan made the announcement at his weekly briefing on Friday.
Khan said Pakistan had strongly condemned the attacks carried out on October 26, including those aimed at areas near the Holy Sites. Islamabad described them as a grave violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and said they showed disregard for the sanctity of Islam’s holiest sites and for civilian safety.
Islamabad backs Saudi Arabia after Houthi missile attacks
Khan said Pakistan had restated its “unwavering solidarity” with Saudi Arabia and its pledge to safeguard the Two Holy Mosques from external aggression or threats through the alliance.
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The spokesperson also pointed to an October 28 meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Lieutenant General Noman Mehmood, described as the first Secretary General of the Makkah Alliance for Defense. Dar stressed Pakistan’s work to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond, and said the alliance had a role in building lasting peace there.
Istanbul talks on Gaza, Yemen and maritime security
Khan also briefed reporters on a meeting of the R4 Foreign Ministers held in Istanbul on October 23. According to him, the ministers backed a sovereign and contiguous Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital. They urged an immediate end to violence, unhindered humanitarian aid for Gaza and early implementation of the two-state solution.
On Yemen, the ministers condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab, while voicing solidarity with the Government of Yemen and Saudi Arabia. They also called for regional disputes to be settled through dialogue and diplomacy, welcomed ongoing diplomatic efforts including the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, and asked for the safe and unimpeded resumption of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Later the same day, the R4 ministers met counterparts from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom in Istanbul. Khan said they exchanged views on key regional and international matters, including the US-Israel-Iran conflict, the Israel-Palestine conflict, Houthi attacks, and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab and the Black Sea. The group reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, de-escalation and negotiated solutions, and agreed to keep consulting in the expanded format.
Condemnation of the Jordan church attack
Khan also referred to Pakistan’s condemnation of the October 24 terrorist attack on a funeral procession at a church in Jordan. Pakistan extended condolences to the Jordanian government and people, especially the bereaved families, and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
The spokesperson said Islamabad had also reaffirmed its solidarity with Jordan in the fight against terrorism.
