‘Will Go to Any Lengths’: Pakistan Vows Absolute Support for Saudi Security
Pakistan has reaffirmed its absolute commitment to the defense of Saudi Arabia following the interception of a Houthi drone near the holy city of Makkah. Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), emphasized that Islamabad is prepared to go to any extent to guarantee the security of the Kingdom and the holy sites. He stressed that the people and military leadership of Pakistan stand firmly alongside Saudi Arabia, noting that continuous communication remains active between the political and defense authorities of both sovereign nations.
Expressing the depth of these bilateral ties, Major General Chaudhry stated in an interview, ‘We will go to any length to ensure the security of Masjid al-Haram and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, exactly as our Saudi brothers desire and demand.’ He further highlighted that Pakistan is already there to protect the holy sites, describing the defense commitment as completely unconditional and rooted in deep historical bonds. In addition to military readiness, he confirmed that Pakistan is actively engaging with regional partners to reach a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the conflict.
The public reassurance follows Saudi air defense forces successfully shooting down an uncrewed Houthi drone south of Makkah before it could breach restricted holy airspace. Although Houthi military spokesman Mr. Yahya Saree denied targeting Islamic holy sites, falling debris from an intercepted drone in Taif caused one fatality and injured two others. Furthermore, separate drone strikes originating from Iraq targeted three key pumping stations along Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, causing temporary operational disruptions to critical oil transport routes across the region.
This defense pledge aligns with the recently established ‘Makkah Joint Defense Agreement,’ signed on August 7 by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, which mandates mutual assistance against external armed aggression. Confirming the nation’s operational obligations under the pact, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated, ‘The Makkah Agreement applies to us, and we will fulfill our duties.’ The multi-nation agreement underscores a unified strategic posture aimed at safeguarding territorial integrity and stabilizing regional security amid rising regional tensions.
Source: The Siasat Daily
