Pakistan committed to implementing Saudi defence pact, Makkah agreement: FO

Pakistan on Thursday said it remained committed “in intent and spirit” to implementing the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) with Saudi Arabia and the trilateral Makkah Defence Alliance.

Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan made the statement during his weekly briefing.

The statement comes amid renewed tensions in the Middle East, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels carrying out attacks in Saudi Arabia in recent days.

A day earlier, a Saudi-led coalition battling Houthis accused the rebels of targeting the holy city of Makkah, sparking outrage across the Muslim world and deepening the conflict roiling the region. However, the Houthis swiftly rejected Riyadh’s report as a “lie” that it shot down a drone from the rebels heading towards Makkah.

In response to a question on whether “any mechanism had been devised as to how Pakistan will ensure that recent Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia are thwarted,” the spokesperson held that Pakistan was committed to “implementing” the SDMA and the Makkah pact.

“However, when, how, where and what force will be used against what objectives, in which modes and matters [..] — operational confidentiality requires us to be discreet at this stage,” he added.

More to follow.