ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Saudi Arabia in safeguarding its sovereignty and security, strongly condemning recent Houthi attacks against the kingdom, including an attempted drone attack targeting Makkah.
In a message on Saudi National Day, the prime minister said Pakistan stood “shoulder to shoulder” with Saudi Arabia and reiterated the country’s strongest condemnation of the attacks.
“Any threat to the sanctity and security of the Haramain Sharifain deeply wounds the sentiments of Muslims across the world,” Shehbaz said in a message posted on his official X account.
Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia said its air defences had destroyed a Houthi drone south of Makkah before it entered prohibited airspace over the holy city.
A spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said it was the second reported Houthi attempt to target Makkah.
The Houthis have also declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia and targeted Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea as well as sites inside the kingdom.
Following the attacks, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan’s armed forces would go “to any extent” to defend Saudi Arabia.
“Pakistan fully stands with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both diplomatically and physically,” he said in an interview with Arab News.
In his Saudi National Day message, Prime Minister Shehbaz also extended felicitations to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the people of Saudi Arabia.
He said Saudi Arabia’s journey of progress and transformation was a source of pride and admiration not only for its people but also for Pakistan.
Shehbaz said Pakistan took immense pride in its historic and time-tested brotherhood with Saudi Arabia, describing the relationship as rooted in faith, mutual trust and enduring bonds between the two peoples.
He said the longstanding ties were developing into an even stronger strategic partnership under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with both countries committed to peace, security and the unity of the Muslim Ummah.
The prime minister also referred to the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in September 2025, under which aggression against either country is to be regarded as aggression against both.
Last month, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, under which an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be considered an attack against all three.