Islamabad: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) clarified on Thursday that no discussions are currently underway regarding an immediate military response under the newly formalised Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, following recent Houthi missile and drone strikes against Saudi Arabia. Speaking at a weekly press briefing in Islamabad, FO Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan affirmed that the trilateral pact involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye remains in force, but stressed that Islamabad will act in accordance with its obligations when the "time comes".
The statement follows Houthi attacks targeting the southern Saudi cities of Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran, which injured over 70 people and prompted coalition airstrikes in Yemen’s Al Hudaydah province. Describing the pact as a purely defensive, deterrence-oriented framework, the spokesperson noted that while Pakistani troops are currently in Saudi Arabia for training and logistics, core operational details are still being finalised before considering any future expansion to third party nations.
In addition to addressing Middle Eastern security dynamics, the Foreign Office dismissed speculation regarding regional diplomacy, rejecting a Reuters report claiming Pakistan had issued warnings to Iran as "baseless" and stating that trade arrangements with Tehran will be guided strictly by national interests.
On broader diplomatic fronts, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar conducted a series of telephone exchanges with counterparts from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, and Norway to review regional security, the situation in Palestine, and preparations for the upcoming UN General Assembly. The spokesperson also reiterated Pakistan's stance on Afghanistan, emphasising that while Islamabad desires a peaceful neighbor and good relations, preventing cross border terrorism remains a fundamental requirement.
Furthermore, Pakistan condemned the state sanctioned demolition of historic Islamic sites in India, highlighted the deteriorating health of jailed Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik, and announced that Islamabad will host the 14th South Asian Games in April 2027.
