Makkah Alliance secretary general meets PM Shehbaz, briefs premier on defence cooperation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened with Nauman Mahmood, the newly appointed secretary general of the Makkah Defence Alliance, on Wednesday to discuss the strategy for enhancing "defence and strategic cooperation" under the agreement, according to Radio Pakistan. Mahmood assumed his position last month, becoming the first secretary general of the alliance between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, following the signing of the pact on August 7.

This agreement entitles member states to regard an attack on one as an attack on all. During their meeting, Shehbaz emphasized that the pact signifies a "historic milestone for peace, unity, and stability in the region" and expressed his support for Mahmood in his new role. The premier also reaffirmed Pakistan's "unwavering commitment" to safeguarding Saudi Arabia's "sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security."

The meeting took place amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia had launched strikes on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Tuesday, targeting fuel and energy facilities suspected of aiding missile and drone attacks against Saudi targets. In response, Saudi authorities warned of potential hostile aerial threats in the kingdom's eastern province and Riyadh, while reports emerged of loud explosions near Saudi Aramco's headquarters in Dhahran.

Saudi officials confirmed that four individuals were injured by debris from two intercepted Houthi cruise missiles, and 15 homes were damaged. The Houthis have escalated attacks on Saudi airports, oil facilities, and tankers since the truce in their conflict with Yemen's coalition government in July. Pakistan has consistently expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, including at a Makkah pact meeting in Riyadh on October 5, where the three nations agreed to deploy military forces rapidly.

Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, stated that while Saudi troops were the only combatants, Pakistan and Turkiye had a "presence in theatre." Asif stressed Pakistan's unconditional commitment to Saudi security and claimed the alliance is for collective deterrence and defense purposes.