Islamabad, October 9,2026: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday strongly condemned recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and security under the Makkah Defence Alliance.
In a statement on X, the prime minister condemned attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport, which reportedly resulted in civilian casualties.
He commended the vigilance and professionalism of the Saudi armed forces and the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen for intercepting ballistic missiles.
Expressing Pakistan’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia, Shehbaz said Islamabad’s commitment to the kingdom’s security remained resolute under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and recent decisions of its Strategic Political and Defence Committee.
He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s right to self-defence and called on the Houthis to immediately cease their attacks.
“We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia in the face of these threats,” the prime minister said.
The defence pact, signed on August 7 and involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, aims to strengthen collective deterrence and provide for a coordinated response to threats against its signatories.
On October 5, the three countries agreed to facilitate the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia during an emergency meeting of the alliance in Riyadh.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who participated in the meeting, subsequently said Pakistan and Turkiye had a presence in the region, while Saudi troops were the only forces engaged in combat operations at that time.
Pakistan has consistently maintained that the alliance is defensive in nature and intended to strengthen collective deterrence.
The latest developments follow Houthi claims of attacks on Saudi Arabia, including an alleged missile strike targeting Riyadh’s main international airport. The group has also declared a maritime blockade against the kingdom and threatened shipping in the Red Sea.
Saudi authorities said on Wednesday that three people were killed and 36 injured in attacks on two international airports, including the facility in Riyadh.
The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government said it had destroyed the ballistic missile launch platform used in the attack on the Saudi capital.
The conflict has intensified since fighting reignited in Yemen in July, with the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces contesting control of strategic areas along the Red Sea coast.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government announced a major counteroffensive this week, claiming its forces had pushed Houthi fighters out of strategic locations along the Red Sea and near the port city of Mocha. The Houthis, however, maintained that they continued to hold their territory.
Pakistan has repeatedly expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia amid the escalating tensions.
On September 18, Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan would go to “any extent” to defend the kingdom, describing Islamabad’s commitment to Saudi security as unconditional.
Asif has also reaffirmed that Pakistan would stand by Saudi Arabia through practical and diplomatic measures if the situation escalated, adding that Islamabad would fulfil its obligations under the Makkah Defence Alliance in accordance with the agreement.
At the same time, Pakistani officials have emphasized that the alliance is designed to promote collective deterrence and defensive cooperation among its members.
