ISLAMABAD: In the wake of increasing drone and missile attacks by Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia, Pakistan’s armed forces have reiterated their resolve to go to any length to defend the Kingdom.
Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said in an interview with Arab News senior journalist Baker Atyani, “Pakistan stands firmly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both diplomatically and practically. I want to emphasise the word ‘physically’ here. We will go to any length to defend Saudi Arabia.”
The statement by the military spokesperson came after a new wave of missile and drone attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi group targeting Saudi cities.
In Taif, one person was killed and two others were injured after debris from an intercepted drone fell to the ground. More than 80 people have reportedly been injured in recent attacks. In addition, Saudi-led coalition forces intercepted and destroyed a drone approaching the airspace of Makkah. The Houthis, however, have denied targeting the holy city.
Meanwhile, drones reportedly launched from Iraq damaged pumping stations along the East-West Pipeline, temporarily disrupting oil supplies.
The DG ISPR further said that Pakistan’s commitment includes the protection of Saudi Arabia as well as the safeguarding of the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah. He made it clear that there should be no doubt or ambiguity on this matter, saying that Pakistan would continue to defend its brotherly country against any aggression.
The position expressed by the Pakistan Army is more firm and explicit than Islamabad’s cautious diplomatic statement issued last week. The statement also comes a month after the “Makkah Mutual Defence Agreement,” signed on August 7. The trilateral agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye provides that an attack on any one of the three countries would be considered an attack on all three.
Earlier, in September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had also signed a bilateral Strategic Defence Agreement.
According to Reuters, a significant Pakistani military force is already stationed in Saudi Arabia, comprising around 8,000 troops, a squadron of JF-17 fighter aircraft, drones and the HQ-9 air defence system.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif said Pakistan’s relationship with Saudi Arabia’s security is rooted in emotions, history and an unbreakable bond.
Asked about a possible nuclear guarantee, he did not offer a definitive comment. However, Pakistani officials have previously stated on various occasions that the country’s military capabilities are viewed in the context of its defence requirements.
Alongside its military commitment, Pakistan is also active diplomatically to prevent a wider conflict in the region. Pakistan has conveyed messages to Tehran as part of efforts to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran and to stop Houthi attacks. Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during which they discussed the regional situation.
According to the DG ISPR, Pakistan’s political and military leadership remains in continuous contact in pursuit of a peaceful and negotiated solution to the ongoing crisis in the region.
Referring to the “Islamabad Agreement” (Memorandum of Understanding) reached in June, he said it was a mutually agreed document that provides the only genuine pathway out of the complex military situation. He added that Pakistan continues its efforts to bring the parties back to the negotiating table despite the ongoing deadlock.
