News Desk: Pakistan will make all available means at its disposal available to Saudi Arabia in the event of a security threat, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Wednesday, reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment under its defence arrangement with Riyadh.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Asif said Pakistan was committed to defending Saudi Arabia against threats from the Houthis or any other group or country.
“We are bound by this arrangement to defend Saudi Arabia,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s available resources would also be available to the kingdom when required.
Asif said Pakistan considered Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia to be acts of aggression and reiterated that Islamabad would support Riyadh in any conflict threatening its security.
He said Pakistan’s position was clear regarding the kingdom’s security, adding that threats against Saudi Arabia would be treated seriously under the countries’ defence commitments.
Commenting on Iran’s ties with the Houthis, Asif said Tehran did not consider the group its proxy. He said armed groups supported by states could eventually develop their own agendas and capabilities and become independent actors.
The minister’s remarks come amid renewed regional tensions and reported Houthi missile and drone attacks involving Saudi territory.
The Houthis have previously targeted Saudi military facilities, airports, energy installations and other strategic infrastructure with missiles and drones during the Yemen conflict.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have also reaffirmed cooperation on the collective defence of the kingdom under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
Senior military officials from the three countries recently condemned attacks targeting Makkah and reiterated their commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security.
Asif has previously said Pakistan and Türkiye would provide practical and diplomatic support to Saudi Arabia in the event of aggression, while also stressing Pakistan’s commitment to the security of Makkah and Madinah.
His latest remarks further reaffirm Islamabad’s stated position on Saudi Arabia’s defence and security amid continuing tensions in the region.
