Why does Pakistan say the Makkah pact should be implemented now?
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday said the Makkah agreement should now be implemented following a reported Houthi drone attack near the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking on Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath, Asif said Pakistan was bound by the agreement and would fulfil its obligations, while stressing that protecting the holy sites was a duty regardless of any agreement.
His remarks followed Saudi Arabia’s announcement that its air defences had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Makkah before it entered prohibited airspace. Houthi officials denied targeting the holy city, saying their operations were directed at Saudi oil facilities and military bases.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif separately reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s defence and condemned the reported attempted attack on Makkah. He called for restraint and urged all parties to pursue dialogue and diplomacy to prevent further escalation.
What is Pakistan’s position on the wider regional conflict?
Asif said Pakistan had conveyed a message from Saudi Arabia to Iran amid concerns over Houthi attacks against the kingdom. He said he did not expect Iran, as a state, to open another front in the region, while distinguishing between state actions and those of non-state groups.
The defence minister said Pakistan would continue efforts to prevent the conflict from expanding into additional areas.
He also referred to the trilateral defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, saying regional states could consider greater security cooperation as they respond to evolving threats.
Asif said disruptions to maritime routes, inclu