{
  "id": 7991420,
  "title": "Pakistan committed to Saudi defence agreement in ‘intent and spirit’: FO",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/pakistan-committed-to-saudi-defence-agreement-in-intent-and-spirit-fo",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T08:37:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40439946/pakistan-committed-to-saudi-defence-agreement-in-intent-and-spirit-fo"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan pledges to uphold the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) and the Makkah Defence Alliance, according to Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan. However, specifics surrounding any military response will remain confidential, the spokesperson clarified during a press briefing on Thursday. The FO spokesperson emphasized that Pakistan remains committed to these agreements \"in intent and spirit\", but that details related to the circumstances, methodology and targets of any military action need to remain confidential for operational reasons. He stated that the matter of operational details would be kept discreet for now. Khan also noted that Pakistan maintains close surveillance of developments in the Middle East, particularly in light of ongoing Houthi attacks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had strongly criticized an attempted drone strike aimed at the holy city of Makkah al-Mukarramah, expressing deep concern over the incident. The Prime Minister praised the Royal Saudi Armed Forces for their vigilance and response, while calling for restraint and urging all parties to avoid further escalation. He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to Saudi Arabia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and the sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also condemned the attempted attack, stating that it violated Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, provoked religious sentiments globally and threatened regional peace and security. Earlier, Pakistan had also condemned drone attacks on the East-West pipeline in Riyadh and Madinah, which caused damage to the infrastructure and casualties. The spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz had discussed Pakistan's solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for de-escalation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on September 13. Pakistan has consistently expressed concern over the ongoing escalation and its potential impact on regional peace, maritime navigation and global energy supplies, urging dialogue and diplomacy to prevent further escalation.",
  "summary": "Pakistan is committed to implementing the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) with Saudi Arabia and the trilateral Makkah Defence Alliance, but operational details of any military response will remain confidential, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said on Thursday. Responding to a question at his weekly briefing, the FO spokesperson said Pakistan was committed to the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times",
        "title": "US giant powers Pakistan’s defence ambitions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/us-giant-powers-pakistans-defence-ambitions",
        "published": "2026-09-17T07:51:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}