ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has rejected as “fake and fabricated” a New York Times report claiming that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft were being employed against Yemen’s Houthis from Saudi Arabia.
In a fact-check issued on Thursday, the ministry said the New York Times report, titled “Explosions Heard in Riyadh After Saudis Say Houthi Attacks Killed 3 in Kingdom”, contained an incorrect attribution regarding the employment of PAF aircraft.
“NYT above referred story attributing employment of PAF aircraft against Houthis is fake and fabricated,” the ministry said while sharing a screenshot of the report on X.
The ministry also urged international media organisations to refrain from speculative reporting regarding the possible employment of Pakistani armed forces under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
“International Media houses are again asked to avoid speculative reporting with regards to employment of Pakistan’s Military Forces under Makkah Joint Defence Agreement,” it said.
The ministry clarified that any decision regarding the employment of Pakistani military forces, if required, would be communicated by the relevant authorities.
“Details of any employment, if necessary will be given by concerned authorities,” it added.
The clarification comes amid an escalation in Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, with multiple explosions reported in Riyadh on Thursday.
The Houthis have claimed attacks targeting the Saudi capital and other locations in the kingdom, while Saudi authorities have reported interceptions of missiles launched towards Riyadh and other areas.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye had earlier agreed on arrangements allowing the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
The agreement was discussed during an emergency meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee of the three countries in Riyadh on October 5.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the committee decided to move immediately towards the practical implementation of collective defence commitments and take necessary measures to provide the agreed military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in the kingdom.
The latest clarification follows previous instances of unverified reports concerning Pakistani aircraft in Saudi Arabia. In September, the Ministry of Information had also rejected reports claiming that Houthi missiles had damaged Pakistani JF-17 fighter aircraft at King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
The ministry’s latest statement comes as Saudi Arabia faces renewed Houthi attacks amid a wider regional conflict, with Riyadh and other parts of the kingdom facing missile and drone threats.