Pakistan Providing All Necessary Support to Defend Saudi Arabia, Says DG ISPR

Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry says Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and the security of the Two Holy Mosques are non-negotiable, reiterates defensive nature of Makkah Defence Alliance

ISLAMABAD: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has said Pakistan is providing all necessary support to defend Saudi Arabia and will continue to do so, describing the kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the security of the Two Holy Mosques as non-negotiable priorities for Islamabad.

In an interview with Independent Arabia, aired on Sunday, the military spokesperson discussed Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, Pakistan’s defence commitments to the kingdom and the evolving security situation in the Middle East.

“Whatever support is needed to do that is being provided and will be provided,” Lt Gen Chaudhry said, referring to the protection of Saudi Arabia and the holy sites. He added that military alliances do not publicly disclose the specific details or scale of the support being provided.

The DG ISPR said the Makkah Defence Alliance, involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, was purely defensive in nature and had no offensive intentions against any country.

Referring to Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, he said the collective defence arrangement sent a clear message to elements threatening regional stability that an attack against any member could trigger a collective response.

“If that deterrence doesn’t work, then that deterrence has to be re-established by all means that are available to the three countries,” he added.

Lt Gen Chaudhry stressed that Pakistan was maintaining contact with all relevant parties, including Iran, with the aim of reducing tensions and preventing further escalation. He said Islamabad had consistently urged the parties involved to exercise restraint and pursue a negotiated settlement.

Expanding the conflict to Yemen or other parts of the region would not resolve the underlying issues, he said, adding that further escalation would only benefit those seeking instability in the Middle East.

“We need to stop attacking each other,” the military spokesperson said, calling for unity among Muslim countries and emphasising the importance of diplomatic engagement.

On the possibility of other countries joining the Makkah Defence Alliance, Lt Gen Chaudhry said the arrangement was not directed against any specific country and remained open to states that shared its objectives of collective deterrence, regional peace and stability. He added that decisions regarding potential membership would rest with the political, strategic and military leadership of the three existing members.

He also referred to maritime security arrangements established by Saudi Arabia to protect navigation, noting that a Pakistani naval officer was serving as deputy commander of a multinational maritime defence coalition.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed the Makkah Defence Pact on August 7 to strengthen collective deterrence and defence cooperation. Earlier this month, the three countries held an emergency meeting and agreed on the rapid deployment of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia amid the backdrop of Houthi attacks.

Pakistan has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security while maintaining that its defence cooperation is intended to deter aggression, protect territorial integrity and promote regional stability.

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Tauqeer Riaz

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