ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said any aggression against Saudi Arabia could trigger the collective defence mechanism agreed upon by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye under the Makkah Defence Alliance.
Asif said the three countries had committed to treating an attack on one member as an attack on all three.
He said any unprovoked aggression against Saudi territory, including a spillover of the Yemen conflict into the kingdom, would “definitely” activate the defence arrangement.
“There should be no doubt about it,” the minister said, adding that Pakistan was bound by the agreement and would fulfil its commitments if required.
His remarks came after Houthi attacks targeted several Saudi cities, leaving at least 71 people injured and raising fresh concerns about the widening regional conflict.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as a “cowardly” act that put civilian lives at risk and threatened regional peace. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
Islamabad hopes tensions will ease
While warning that Pakistan would honour its commitments under the trilateral agreement, Asif said Islamabad hoped the situation would stabilise and that the escalation would eventually subside.
The Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Türkiye defence agreement, signed on August 7, establishes a framework for collective security and defence cooperation among the three countries.
The agreement was concluded against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Middle East following the conflict that began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran.
Pakistan continues US-Iran mediation
Turning to Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran, Asif said Islamabad’s attempts to facilitate peace and reduce regional tensions were continuing.
He said contacts between the two sides remained in place, although some of them were being conducted indirectly.
Pakistan has sought to facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran, encouraging both sides to pursue de-escalation and a peaceful settlement.
Asif expressed hope that growing international pressure would help bring an end to the regional conflict. He also warned that Israel had an interest in prolonging confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
“Peace will be established in the region and Israel will have to pay a price,” the defence minister said.
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