{
  "id": 7974423,
  "title": "Pakistan committed to implementing Saudi defence pact, Makkah agreement: FO",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/pakistan-committed-to-implementing-saudi-defence-pact-makkah",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T07:27:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2030603/pakistan-committed-to-implementing-saudi-defence-pact-makkah-agreement-fo"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan affirmed Pakistan's commitment \"in intent and spirit\" to the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) with Saudi Arabia and the trilateral Makkah Defence Alliance on Thursday. This declaration comes as Middle East tensions flare following a string of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in Saudi Arabia. A day prior, a coalition led by Saudi Arabia claimed the Houthis had targeted the holy city of Makkah, causing widespread outrage and escalating the already volatile situation in the region.\n\nThe Houthis vehemently denied the Saudi allegations, calling them a \"lie\" and claiming they had shot down a drone from the rebels en route to Makkah. When asked about potential measures Pakistan might employ to prevent future Houthi strikes in Saudi Arabia, Khan stated that Pakistan is committed to implementing the SMDA and the Makkah pact. However, he emphasized that specifics regarding the timing, methods, and forces to be utilized against these threats remain undisclosed for operational confidentiality.",
  "summary": "Pakistan on Thursday said it remained committed “in intent and spirit” to implementing the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) with Saudi Arabia and the trilateral Makkah Defence Alliance. Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan made the statement during his weekly briefing. The statement comes amid renewed tensions in the Middle East, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels carrying out…",
  "key_points": [
    "Pakistan committed to SMDA and Makkah pact with Saudi Arabia",
    "Tensions rise after Houthi attacks on Makkah",
    "Specific measures undisclosed for operational confidentiality"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "Pakistan committed to implementing Saudi defence pact, Makkah agreement: FO",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/pakistan-committed-to-implementing-saudi-defence-pact-makkah-7979657",
        "published": "2026-09-17T07:59:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}