Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday, reiterating Islamabad’s "strong condemnation" of recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia’s civilian and economic infrastructure, in an apparent diplomatic damage-control effort after Pakistan appeared to step back from its military posture against the Iran-backed group.
The outreach came after Islamabad sought to clarify that the Mecca defence pact with Saudi Arabia did not automatically entail Pakistani military action against the Houthis. The clarification appeared to temper Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s earlier suggestion that the agreement could be activated if Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia continued.
During Sunday’s telephonic conversation, Sharif expressed Pakistan’s "complete solidarity" with the Saudi leadership and people, saying the Houthi attacks threatened regional peace and security and could further disrupt the global economy and energy supplies.
The call came amid a sharp escalation in Yemen, where fighting has intensified between Iran-backed Houthi forces and Saudi-backed government forces. The Houthis recently seized the key Red Sea port of Mokha and an island near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, bringing renewed focus on the security of one of the world’s vital shipping routes.
The recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be treated as an attack against all.
Last week, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said an attack on Saudi Arabia could activate the agreement.
"If there is unprovoked aggression, or a spillover of whatever is happening in Yemen into Saudi Arabia, definitely the Mecca agreement will become operational," he had said.
Islamabad has since stressed that the pact is primarily defensive in nature and does not automatically commit Pakistani forces to offensive military operations.
PAKISTAN REAFFIRMS SUPPORT TO RIYADH
Sharif told Mohammed bin Salman that he, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar would continue efforts to defuse tensions and promote peace in the region. He also praised the Saudi Crown Prince for his “wise and sagacious leadership” during the crisis.
According to Sharif’s office, Mohammed bin Salman appreciated Pakistan’s “steadfast support” for Saudi Arabia and its efforts towards regional peace and stability.
The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact and said they looked forward to meeting soon. Sharif also conveyed his regards to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The conversation comes against the backdrop of questions over Pakistan’s security commitments to Saudi Arabia following the signing of the Makkah pact. Islamabad’s apparent reluctance to escalate militarily against the Houthis could raise concerns in Riyadh about the extent to which Pakistan would translate its defence commitments into military action.
SAUDI TURNS TO US AS YEMEN FIGHTING ESCALATES
Saudi Arabia’s security concerns have grown as the Yemen conflict has intensified. Saudi-backed government forces launched attacks on Houthi positions in Mokha, Dhubab and other areas of Taiz province on Sunday, while the Houthis fired towards neighbouring Saudi Arabia.
The latest escalation is the most serious since a UN-brokered truce halted major fighting in 2022. More than 82,000 people have reportedly been displaced since the beginning of September, adding to Yemen’s already severe humanitarian crisis.
The fighting has also raised fears of disruption along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint, at a time when commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains under pressure amid the US-Iran conflict.
Against this backdrop, Riyadh has also sought US support. However, US President Donald Trump has declined direct US military action against the Houthis, adding to the uncertainty facing Saudi Arabia as it assesses the reliability of its security partners.
SHARIF SET TO MEET TRUMP
Sharif’s outreach to Riyadh also comes days before his expected meeting with Trump.
According to a media report cited by news agency PTI, Sharif is scheduled to meet Trump on September 23 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York. He has also reportedly been invited to a reception dinner hosted by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for heads of state and government that evening.
The meeting could give Islamabad an opportunity to balance its ties with Washington and Riyadh, even as the escalation in Yemen puts Pakistan’s security commitments to its key Gulf partner under renewed scrutiny.
