{
  "id": 13136923,
  "title": "FO says Pakistan has 'substantial number of forces, resources' in Riyadh",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/fo-says-pakistan-has-substantial-number-of-forces-resources-in-riyadh",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T14:49:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2035943/fo-says-pakistan-has-substantial-number-of-forces-resources-in-riyadh"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Friday, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan stated that Pakistan has a \"substantial number\" of forces and resources in Riyadh. This disclosure came in response to a question regarding Pakistan's \"active support\" to Saudi Arabia under the Makkah Defence Alliance, amid an intensifying conflict between the kingdom and Houthis from Yemen. The Makkah Defence Alliance, a tripartite arrangement including Turkey, aims to enhance collective deterrence and empower its signatory states to consider an attack against one as an attack against all. During a weekly briefing, Haider Khan reminded that the three members of the alliance had issued a joint statement affirming their unity in ensuring the Saudi kingdom's deterrence and safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. They have also agreed to rapidly contribute and mobilize resources. Haider Khan added that Pakistan already has a significant force presence in Riyadh. He further noted that it is now up to the Makkah Defence Alliance to evaluate the threat perception and act in accordance with its own mandate.",
  "summary": "Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said on Friday that Pakistan already had “substantial number” of forces and resources in Riyadh and it was now up to the Makkah Defence Alliance to assess the threat in Saudi Arabia and make decisions accordingly. The FO spokesperson remarks came in response to a query about the “active support” being offered by Pakistan to Saudi Arabia under…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Makkah defence pact aims to protect Saudi Arabia, says ISPR",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/makkah-defence-pact-aims-to-protect-saudi-arabia-says-ispr",
        "published": "2026-10-09T10:45:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Pakistan has ‘substantial’ forces deployed in Saudi Arabia, says foreign ministry",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/pakistan-has-substantial-forces-deployed-in-saudi-arabia-says-foreign",
        "published": "2026-10-09T11:23:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "FO says Pakistan has 'substantial number of forces, resources' in Riyadh",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/fo-says-pakistan-has-substantial-number-of-forces-resources-in-riyadh-13138982",
        "published": "2026-10-09T14:56:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}