Pakistan has expressed strong support for Saudi Arabia after Houthi drone and missile attacks injured 73 people in the Kingdom.
The attacks targeted civilian and energy facilities in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said a three-nation defense pact could become operational if Saudi Arabia faces aggression.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement last month. The pact says an armed attack on one member would be treated as an attack on all.
Khawaja Asif Warns Houthis
Speaking to Geo News on Tuesday, Asif warned the Houthis against using the wider US-Iran confrontation to pull Saudi Arabia into the conflict.
He said any unprovoked aggression against Saudi Arabia could activate the defense agreement.
“No one should have any doubt in this,” Asif said.
He added that Pakistan remains bound by the terms of the pact. He also said Islamabad would honor its commitments if needed.
Houthi Attacks Injure Civilians
The Houthis control much of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa.
The group launched drones and missiles toward several Saudi cities on Tuesday.
The attacks hit energy facilities and injured civilians. Many of those injured were women and children.
Shehbaz Sharif Condemns Attacks
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attacks.
He said the strikes violated Saudi sovereignty. He also said Saudi Arabia has the right under international law to take necessary steps to defend itself.
Sharif expressed Pakistan’s “unwavering solidarity” with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi people.
He said the attacks threatened innocent lives as well as regional peace and security.
The prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
Pakistan Supports Saudi Right to Self-Defense
Pakistan’s Foreign Office also condemned the Houthi attacks.
In a statement, Islamabad called the strikes against civilian and economic targets in Saudi Arabia reprehensible.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan supports Saudi Arabia’s right under the UN Charter and international law to defend its territory.
It also backed the Kingdom’s right to protect its citizens, residents and national assets.
Speaking to Arab News on Wednesday, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan repeated Pakistan’s position.
Pakistan’s latest statements show strong support for Saudi Arabia as regional tensions continue to rise.
