Mecca Pact, but no troops yet: Pak expresses 'solidarity' with Saudi after Houthi attacks
Pakistan voiced strong solidarity with Saudi Arabia following recent Houthi attacks. These strikes threaten regional peace and could disrupt global energy supplies. Prime Minister Sharif discussed these issues with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The recent Houthi advances have also intensified concerns over Red Sea shipping routes. A mutual-defense pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and…
The Mecca pact, signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on August 7, appears to be promising "one for all, all for one", but Islamabad has not deployed troops yet. After a series of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, Pakistan expressed "complete solidarity" with the Saudi kingdom in a phone conversation between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to the Pakistan Prime Minister's Office.
Pakistan's outreach came a day after Saudi Arabia temporarily closed its 1,200-km East-West oil pipeline following a drone attack from Iraq. The pipeline is a vital alternative route for Saudi oil exports, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has been severely disrupted by the US-Iran conflict since February.
Sharif condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian and economic infrastructure, warning that the strikes could further disrupt the global economy and energy supplies. He vowed to support peace efforts, alongside Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The Saudi crown prince acknowledged Pakistan's efforts towards peace and stability, and the two leaders agreed to remain in close contact, hoping to meet soon.
The Houthi attacks, which have escalated as the group advances along the Red Sea coast, have raised concerns over the security of Saudi energy infrastructure and alternative oil export routes. Pakistan's defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey could come into focus amid the ongoing regional tensions. However, Pakistan's foreign ministry clarified that no military response under the agreement is being discussed at the moment.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
