Web Desk: The Strategic Political Defence Committee (SPDC) of the Makkah Defence Alliance will hold an emergency meeting in Riyadh next week to discuss Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday.
Dar said Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye had agreed to convene the meeting to assess the evolving security situation and discuss developments affecting the Kingdom.
The announcement was made during a briefing on Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York and meetings held on its sidelines.
The SPDC was established under the trilateral Makkah Defence Accord and comprises the foreign ministers, defence ministers and army chiefs of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Dar said the foreign ministers of the three countries had discussed the situation during their meeting in New York, while the three army chiefs also met in Riyadh on September 25.
“The whole SPDC” will meet in Riyadh next week, Dar said, adding that the session would examine the prevailing situation and developments on the ground, particularly those involving Saudi Arabia.
He described the upcoming gathering as an emergency meeting focused on the Houthi attacks. A further SPDC meeting is expected after the end of October or at the beginning of November as part of the committee’s regular proceedings.
Pakistan Condemns Houthi Attack on Madina Facility
Dar said Pakistan had condemned a recent attack attributed to the Houthis on a power facility in Madina, calling the incident “not acceptable”.
He said he had also held detailed discussions with Iran regarding the Houthi attacks and reminded Tehran of Pakistan’s commitments under the trilateral defence agreement.
According to Dar, Iran denied having any association with the Houthis or Iraqi militias and suggested that the Houthis should be engaged through political means rather than military action.
Dar said the proposal was discussed between the two foreign ministers in good faith, while decisions regarding the alliance’s response would be considered by the three member states.
Six Countries Seek Makkah Defence Alliance Membership
Dar said at least six countries had expressed interest in joining the Makkah Defence Alliance, but stressed that expansion would not be possible until the agreement became fully operational.
He said the process of making the alliance operational could take at least a year.
The foreign minister added that the agreement allows other countries to join if they accept the principles agreed upon by its existing members.
The defence pact, signed on August 7, is aimed at strengthening collective deterrence and defence cooperation among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
The first SPDC meeting was held in Istanbul on August 31, where it was decided that Pakistan would initially lead the alliance’s secretariat for three years. Retired Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood was subsequently appointed as the alliance’s first secretary general.
UN Secretary General Guterres to Visit Pakistan
Dar also said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres would visit Pakistan before the end of his current tenure.
He said Pakistan had invited Guterres to visit the country during meetings held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, and the UN chief had accepted the invitation.
Dar said Guterres had been supportive of Pakistan, particularly during major natural disasters, and that his visit would likely take place before his term ends on December 31.
The government will announce the schedule and programme for the UN chief’s visit, Dar said.
During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with Guterres on the sidelines of the UNGA, the two discussed major regional and international developments. Guterres also acknowledged Pakistan’s role in efforts aimed at advancing peace in the Middle East.
