Pakistan Ready to Take ‘Any Step’ to Defend Saudi Arabia: Ahmed Sharif

Pakistan Vows to Go ‘to Any Extent’ to Defend Saudi Arabia Amid Houthi Attacks

Pakistan has pledged to go “to any extent” to defend Saudi Arabia against attacks, with military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry telling Arab News that Islamabad stands with Riyadh both diplomatically and physically.

The statement comes amid a surge in missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group targeting Saudi Arabia.

On Thursday, falling debris from an intercepted drone killed one person and injured two others in Taif. More than 80 people have reportedly been wounded in recent attacks. The Saudi-led coalition also said it intercepted a Houthi drone heading toward restricted airspace near Makkah.

Separately, drones launched from Iraq damaged three pumping stations along Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline, temporarily disrupting the key oil-export route.

“Pakistan fully stands with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, both diplomatically and physically,” Chaudhry said, stressing that Islamabad would “go to any extent” to defend the Kingdom.

He also said Pakistan’s commitment includes protecting Islam’s two holiest sites, Makkah and Madinah, adding that there should be “no doubt” about Islamabad’s resolve to defend Saudi Arabia against aggression.

The remarks were stronger than Pakistan’s public position last week, when its Foreign Office said no military response was being discussed under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, while indicating that Islamabad would act “when the time comes.”

Signed on August 7, the pact provides that an armed attack against Pakistan, Saudi Arabia or Turkiye would be treated as an attack against all three countries. It builds on a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement signed by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in September 2025, which similarly commits both sides to regard aggression against either country as aggression against both.

However, the full operational provisions of the agreements have not been made public, leaving questions over the precise military obligations they entail.

Pakistan already maintains a significant military presence in Saudi Arabia. Reuters reported that Islamabad deployed around 8,000 troops, JF-17 fighter jets, drones and an HQ-9 air-defense system to the Kingdom in May.

“Our commitment to Saudi security is unconditional,” Chaudhry said, describing the relationship between the two countries as an “emotive, deep-rooted, historical and unbreakable bond.”

Saudi Arabia has reportedly sought assistance from several allies, including Pakistan, Britain, France and Egypt, as repeated Houthi attacks place additional pressure on its missile-defense resources.

Chaudhry did not say whether Riyadh had requested additional Pakistani troops, air-defense systems or direct military involvement against the Houthis. He also did not clarify whether Pakistan’s nuclear deterrent would fall under the defense guarantees.

Pakistan has previously issued differing statements on the issue. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said after the 2025 pact that Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities could be made available to Saudi Arabia if required, but later told Reuters that nuclear weapons were “not on the radar” of the agreement.

The latest assurance comes as Islamabad steps up diplomatic efforts to prevent the regional conflict from widening.

Pakistan has sought to mediate between Washington and Tehran while conveying a Saudi warning to Iran to use its influence to halt Houthi attacks on the Kingdom.

Pakistan’s army chief and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, spoke by telephone on Wednesday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was visiting Beijing. Iranian state media said they discussed regional developments but did not specify whether the Houthi attacks were discussed.

Chaudhry said Pakistan’s political and military leadership remains in “continuous communication” with Saudi leaders and is consulting regional governments in pursuit of “a negotiated and peaceful outcome.”

Islamabad previously mediated negotiations between Washington and Tehran that resulted in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding in June. The agreement established a framework for ending the conflict and addressing disputes surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security, but subsequent talks have stalled amid renewed military escalation and disagreements over implementation.

Chaudhry described the Islamabad MoU as “a consensus document” that provides what Pakistan considers the only viable pathway out of the current military crisis.

Asked whether Islamabad expects Washington and Tehran to return to negotiations soon, he offered no specific timeline, saying Pakistan would continue seeking common ground despite mistrust and opposition from various parties.